Entry Word: order

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 the way objects in space or events in time are arranged or follow one another <you always keep your books in perfect alphabetical order> <we haven't found out the order of the speeches yet>

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

Related Words continuity; precedence, priority; chain, progression, succession; series; aligning, alignment, lining up; design, layout, pattern, structure, system

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

2 a group of persons formally joined together for some common interest <a religious order> — see association 2
3 a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common <collects movie posters, photographs and autographs of the stars, and other memorabilia of that order> — see sort 1
4 a piece of metal given in honor of a special event, a person, or an achievement <wore the order of the Freemasons> — see medal
5 a state of being or fitness <finally got the car back in working order> — see condition 1
6 a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned <the commander issued an order that the number of guards for the prisoner be doubled> — see command 1
7 one of the segments of society into which people are grouped <the lower orders were once expected to be content living out their lives as servants to the upper classes> — see class 1
8 one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic <zoologists had problems deciding to which order the platypus belongs> — see class 2