command
verb/kəˈmɑːnd/
/kəˈmænd/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they command | /kəˈmɑːnd/ /kəˈmænd/ |
| he / she / it commands | /kəˈmɑːndz/ /kəˈmændz/ |
| past simple commanded | /kəˈmɑːndɪd/ /kəˈmændɪd/ |
| past participle commanded | /kəˈmɑːndɪd/ /kəˈmændɪd/ |
| -ing form commanding | /kəˈmɑːndɪŋ/ /kəˈmændɪŋ/ |
- (of somebody in a position of authority) to tell somebody to do something synonym order
- command somebody to do something He commanded his men to retreat.
- command something She commanded the release of the prisoners.
- command (somebody) + speech ‘Come here!’ he commanded (them).
- ‘Get back to your room,’ she commanded.
- command that… (formal) The commission intervened and commanded that work on the building cease.
- (British English also) The commission commanded that work on the building should cease.
Definitions on the go
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- command somebody/something to be in charge of a group of people in the army, navy, etc.
- In March 1942 he was appointed to command US naval forces in Europe
- The troops were commanded by General Haig.
Extra ExamplesTopics War and conflictb2- The squadron was commanded by Major Frank Broad.
- He was the officer commanding the troops in the Western region.
- [no passive] (not used in the progressive tenses) command something to deserve and get something because of the special qualities you have
- to command sympathy/support
- She was able to command the respect of the class.
- The headlines commanded her attention.
- As a top lawyer, he can expect to command a six-figure salary.
- [no passive] (not used in the progressive tenses) command something (formal) to be in a position from where you can see or control something
- The hotel commands a fine view of the valley.
- They built a castle commanding the river crossing.
- (not used in the progressive tenses) command something (formal) to have control of something; to have something available for use
- The party was no longer able to command a majority in Parliament.
- the power and finances commanded by the police
order
in army
deserve and get
view
control
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French comander ‘to command’, from late Latin commandare, from com- (expressing intensive force) + mandare ‘commit, command’. Compare with commend.
Check pronunciation:
command