in·struct | \ in-ˈstrəkt
instructed; instructing; instructs
Definition of instruct
transitive verb
2 : to provide with authoritative information or advice the judge instructed the jury
3 : to give an order or command to : direct
Choose the Right Synonym for instruct
teach, instruct, educate, train, discipline, school mean to cause to acquire knowledge or skill. teach applies to any manner of imparting information or skill so that others may learn. taught us a lot about our planet instruct suggests methodical or formal teaching. instructs raw recruits in military drill educate implies development of the mind. more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person train stresses instruction and drill with a specific end in view. trained foreign pilots to operate the new aircraft discipline implies training in habits of order and precision. a disciplined mind school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master. schooled the horse in five gaits
command, order, bid, enjoin, direct, instruct, charge mean to issue orders. command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality. command stresses official exercise of authority. a general commanding troops order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise. ordered his employees about bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants). she bade him be seated enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude. a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality. directed her assistant to hold all calls the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility. charged by the President with a secret mission
Examples of instruct in a Sentence
She instructed us that we were to remain in our seats. The judge instructed the jury that they should disregard the testimony of the last witness. She advised him to instruct a solicitor.
Recent Examples on the Web After developing a level of trust over a series of conversations and eventually moving them to the WhatsApp messenger, the hackers instruct the individuals to install the apps, which infect the employees' work environments. — Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 29 Sep. 2022 Six teachers instruct classes at the iLearn Virtual School, and the school also has a guidance counselor. — Ben Chapman, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2022 Medical authorities in its two largest provinces, Ontario and Quebec, explicitly instruct doctors not to indicate on death certificates if people died from euthanasia. — Maria Cheng, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Aug. 2022 Nor did anyone at the club, including Mr. Ross, instruct Coach Flores to do so. — Sun Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2022 The courses instruct people to find video topics that viewers crave. — New York Times, 21 July 2022 Messenger RNA vaccines, which were authorized in late 2020, instruct the body's cells to make the coronavirus spikes that dot the outside of the virus. — Carolyn Y. Johnson, BostonGlobe.com, 14 July 2022 Park safety regulations instruct visitors to never approach wildlife. — Wyatte Grantham-philips, USA TODAY, 29 June 2022 Bonin, Harris-Dawson and Rodriguez have offered a separate plan, which would instruct city officials to come back in 60 days with eligibility criteria for an interim appointment. — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'instruct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of instruct
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology for instruct
Middle English, from Latin instructus, past participle of instruere, from in- + struere to build — more at structure
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Cite this Entry
“Instruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instruct. Accessed 9 Oct. 2022.
More Definitions for instruct
in·struct | \ in-ˈstrəkt \
Kids Definition of instruct
1 : to give knowledge to : teach A tutor instructs him in math.
2 : to give information to I instructed him that school was closed.
3 : to give directions or commands to She instructed us to stay seated.
Legal Definition of instruct
: to provide (a jury) with explanation and directions regarding the law applicable to a case the judge instructed the jury that the plaintiff bears the burden of proof the jury was instructed to ignore the attorney's comments
intransitive verb
: to give instructions to a jury the trial judge refused to instruct on manslaughter— W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.