Entry Word: instruct

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to cause to acquire knowledge or skill in some field <spent his military career instructing young pilots> — see teach
2 to give information to <instructed everyone in the use of the new system> — see enlighten 1
3 to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority <the proctors instructed everyone to put their pencils down and hand in their tests> — see command 1