order

²order

noun

Definition of ORDER

1

a : a group of people united in a formal way: as (1) : a fraternal society <the Masonic Order> (2) : a community under a religious rule; especially : one requiring members to take solemn vows b : a badge or medal of such a society; also : a military decoration

2

a : any of the several grades of the Christian ministry b plural : the office of a person in the Christian ministry c plural : ordination

3

a : a rank, class, or special group in a community or society b : a class of persons or things grouped according to quality, value, or natural characteristics: as (1) : a category of taxonomic classification ranking above the family and below the class (2) : the broadest category in soil classification

4

a (1) : rank, level <a statesman of the first order> (2) : category, class <in emergencies of this order — R. B. Westerfield> b (1) : the arrangement or sequence of objects or of events in time <listed the items in order of importance> <the batting order> (2) : a sequential arrangement of mathematical elements c : degree 12a, b d (1) : the number of times differentiation is applied successively <derivatives of higher order> (2) of a differential equation : the order of the derivative of highest order e : the number of columns or rows or columns and rows in a magic square, determinant, or matrix <the order of a matrix with 2 rows and 3 columns is 2 by 3> f : the number of elements in a finite mathematical group

5

a (1) : a sociopolitical system <was opposed to changes in the established order> (2) : a particular sphere or aspect of a sociopolitical system <the present economic order> b : a regular or harmonious arrangement <the order of nature>

6

a : a prescribed form of a religious service : rite b : the customary mode of procedure especially in debate <point of order>

7

a : the state of peace, freedom from confused or unruly behavior, and respect for law or proper authority <promised to restore law and order> b : a specific rule, regulation, or authoritative direction : command

8

a : a style of building b : a type of column and entablature forming the unit of a style

9

a : state or condition especially with regard to functioning or repair <things were in terrible order> b : a proper, orderly, or functioning condition <their passports were in order> <the phone is out of order>

10

a : a written direction to pay money to someone b : a commission to purchase, sell, or supply goods or to perform work c : goods or items bought or sold d : an assigned or requested undertaking <landing men on the moon was a tall order>

11

: order of the day <flat roofs were the order in the small villages>

— or·der·less \-ləs\ adjective

— in order

: appropriate, desirable <an apology is in order>

— in order to

: for the purpose of

— on order

: in the process of being ordered

— on the order of

1

: after the fashion of : like <a genius on the order of Newton — D. B. Botkin>

2

: about, approximately <spent on the order of two million dollars>

— to order

: according to the specifications of an order <shoes made to order>

Examples of ORDER

1. That's an order, not a request!
2. Failing to comply with an order will result in the loss of your job.
3. She received an order to appear in court.
4. They can't close down the school without an order from the governor's office.
5. The mayor gave an order to evacuate the city.
6. It's not his fault. He was only following orders.
7. I'm not taking orders from you! You're not my boss.
8. The city was evacuated by order of the mayor.
9. The store received an order for 200 roses this morning.
10. They had trouble filling large customer orders.

Illustration of ORDER

Origin of ORDER

Middle English, from Anglo-French ordre, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin ordin-, ordo ecclesiastical order, from Latin, arrangement, group, class; akin to Latin ordiri to lay the warp, begin

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ORDER

Synonyms: arrangement, array, disposal, disposition, distribution, ordering, sequence, setup

Related Words: continuity; precedence, priority; chain, procession, progression, succession; series; aligning (also alining), alignment (also alinement), lining up; design, layout, pattern, structure, system

Near Antonyms: confusion, disorder, disorganization, disruption, upset; disconnection, disjointedness

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with ORDER

border, corder, hoarder, warder