Definition of order verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

order

verb

/ˈɔːdə(r)/

/ˈɔːrdər/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they order	/ˈɔːdə(r)/ /ˈɔːrdər/
he / she / it orders	/ˈɔːdəz/ /ˈɔːrdərz/
past simple ordered	/ˈɔːdəd/ /ˈɔːrdərd/
past participle ordered	/ˈɔːdəd/ /ˈɔːrdərd/
-ing form ordering	/ˈɔːdərɪŋ/ /ˈɔːrdərɪŋ/

Idioms Phrasal Verbs

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food/drink

[transitive, intransitive] to ask for something to eat or drink in a restaurant, bar, etc.

order (something) I ordered a coffee and a sandwich.
Have you ordered yet?
The waiter asked if we were ready to order.
order somebody/yourself something He ordered himself a pot of tea.
order for somebody Will you order for me while I make a phone call?
order something for somebody We ordered extra fries for the kids.

Extra Examples

He ordered off the children's menu.
Please order at the counter before finding a table.
We ordered almost an hour ago and the food still hasn't come.
You have to be 21 in this state to order a drink at the bar.
They ordered water with their meal.
Can I order something off the lunch menu?
It was the first time I had ordered wine in a restaurant.
She sat down and ordered a drink.
He ordered a bottle of champagne.
Order two main courses and get a dessert for free.
I've ordered you a coffee, I hope that's OK.
Why don't you order yourself an ice cream?
Shall I order some water for the table?
I let her order for me, as she knows more about Chinese food.

Topics Cooking and eatinga1

goods/service

[transitive, intransitive] to ask for goods to be made or supplied; to ask for a service to be provided

order (something) To order a copy of the report, visit our website.
You will be given a reference number when you order.
order something from somebody/something These boots can be ordered direct from the manufacturer.
order from somebody/something She sometimes orders from specialist websites.
order somebody/yourself something Shall I order you a taxi?
order something for somebody Shall I order a taxi for you?

give instructions

[transitive] to use your position of authority to tell somebody to do something or say that something must happen

order somebody to do something The officer ordered them to fire.
The company was ordered to pay compensation to its former employees.
order somebody + adv./prep. They were ordered out of the class for fighting.
He ordered them off his property.
order something The government has ordered an investigation into the accident.
Your doctor may order an MRI scan.
The judge ordered a retrial.
order that… The court ordered that a psychological report be prepared.
(British English also) The court ordered that a psychological report should be prepared.
order (somebody) + speech ‘Sit down and be quiet,’ she ordered.

Synonyms orderordertell ▪ instruct ▪ direct ▪ commandThese words all mean to use your position of authority to say to somebody that they must do something.order to use your position of authority to tell somebody to do something:

The company was ordered to pay compensation to its former employee.
‘Come here at once!’ she ordered.

tell to say to somebody that they must or should do something:

He was told to sit down and wait.
Don’t tell me what to do!

instruct (rather formal) to tell somebody to do something, especially in a formal or official way:

The letter instructed him to report to headquarters immediately.

direct (formal) to give an official order:

The judge directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty.

command to use your position of authority to tell somebody to do something:

He commanded his men to retreat.

order or command?Order is a more general word than command and can be used about anyone in a position of authority, such as a parent, teacher or government telling somebody to do something. Command is slightly stronger than order and is the normal word to use about an army officer giving orders, or in any context where it is normal to give orders without any discussion about them. It is less likely to be used about a parent or teacher.Patterns

to order/tell/instruct/direct/command somebody to do something
to order/instruct/direct/command that…
to do something as ordered/told/instructed/directed/commanded

Express Yourself Telling somebody to do somethingTelling somebody to do something

- Could you wait here for a moment, please?
- Would you come through now?
- That's everything. You can go now.
- Can you send it up to my room, please?
- Just sign here for me, please.
- I need you to finish the report by Friday.
- Everyone has to use the side entrance this week.
- You have to sign these reports before submitting them.

Extra Examples

Magistrates ordered him to serve 160 hours community service.
For years, doctors have been ordering expectant mothers to eat plenty of folic acid.
They were ordered by the court to enter arbitration.
He was ordered to appear before a grand jury.
The commander of the tank company was ordered by the Task Force commander to destroy the tunnels.
The authorities have ordered surveys to be carried out.
The council ordered the construction to stop.
All foreign journalists have been ordered out of the country.
He was ordered off for bringing down the striker.
The Judge ordered them into her private chambers.
Troops were ordered back from the area.
The British government then ordered a major inquiry into the affair.
The court must order his release if the detention is not lawful.
The general had personally ordered the raid.
Two officers were accused of ordering the killing of 120 civilians.
The pilot ordered an evacuation.
The military operation was ordered by the president himself.
The doctor ordered more diagnostic tests.
tests which are routinely ordered on patients
In Japan, authorities have ordered mandatory labeling for some foods containing GM ingredients.
A court may order that a dog be destroyed if it has rushed at persons, animals, or vehicles.
They ordered that for every tree cut down two more be planted.
‘Get into groups of four!’ he ordered us.