Definition of command
transitive verb
1 : to direct authoritatively : order commanded adherence to the rules
2 : to exercise a dominating influence over : have command of: such asa : to have at one's immediate disposal commands many resourcesb : to demand or receive as one's due commands a high feec : to overlook or dominate from or as if from a strategic position a hill that commands the cityd : to have military command of as senior officer command a regiment
3 obsolete : to order or request to be given
intransitive verb
1 : to have or exercise direct authority : govern The king knows how to command well.
2 : to give orders The master commands, and the servants obey.
3 : to be commander The general will command at the western front.
4 : to dominate as if from an elevated place
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Examples of command in a Sentence
She commanded us to leave.
Military leaders commanded the troops to open fire.
She commanded that work on the bridge cease immediately.
We had no choice but to do as they commanded.
He commands a platoon of 60.
With his skills and experience, he can command a high salary.
The company commands much power and influence in the business world.
Recent Examples of command from the Web
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Despite Trump’s low approval ratings and the relentless developments involving Russia’s election meddling — which now feature Donald Trump Jr. in a starring role — the president still commands loyalty from a significant slice of the GOP base.
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The Dion Lee piece commands attention against her black shorts and strappy sandals, and the tie at the waist hangs down past her knees.
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Hayward is one of the marquee names in free agency this year and is expected to command a maximum contract.
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A master salesman, Trump has an inimitable ability to command attention, and that could be used to bolster Americans’ support for Republican efforts and ramp up pressure on wavering lawmakers.
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Kennedy served as a naval officer in the South Pacific, commanding the Patrol Torpedo Craft (PT) 109 following the attack on Pearl Harbor, when a Japanese destroyer struck his boat.
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Not all middle blockers command that kind of respect, but the 6-foot-6 Kenzinger, the Daily Southtown Player of the Year, is no ordinary middle.
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Air China, through its Star Alliance ties with Deutsche Lufthansa AG and United Continental Holdings Inc., commands many of the routes to Europe and North America.
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Frost served more than 30 years in the Coast Guard, a career that included a voyage in 1957 up the Potomac commanding the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Unimak.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'command.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of command
Middle English comanden, from Anglo-French cumander, from Vulgar Latin *commandare, alteration of Latin commendare to commit to one's charge — more at commend
Synonym Discussion of command
command
Definition of command
1a : an order given The command was to hold fire. a dog trained to attack on command [=in response to a command]b : a signal that actuates a device (such as a control mechanism in a spacecraft or one step in a computer); also : the activation of a device by means of such a signal
2a : the ability to control : mastery She was in command of her emotions.b : the authority or right to command the officer in commandc (1) : the power to dominate The fort has command of the valley. (2) : scope of vision The tower provides a wide command of the neighboring hills.d : facility in use a good command of Frenche : control 1d a pitcher with good command of his curveball
3 : the act of commanding The troops will charge at command.
4 : the personnel, area, or organization under a commander; specifically : a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than an air force
5 : a position of highest usually military authority He was relieved of his command after being charged with misconduct.
Examples of command in a Sentence
We are expected to obey his commands.
She shouted out commands to the crew.
We started to teach the dog simple commands like “sit” and “lie down.”
You can perform several actions with keyboard commands.
The system recognizes voice commands.
He was relieved of his command after being charged with misconduct.
Who is the officer in command of the unit?
I assumed command of the business after my father's death.
He immediately took command of the situation.
He finally felt in command of his life.
Recent Examples of command from the Web
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As to why the dog held on for so long, the dogs also are not trained to release on a verbal command -- instead an officer has to apply pressure to release the dog’s jaw.
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From the City, Stories From the Sea command attention with atmospheric nuance and ringing riffs, respectively, and 2007's slower and more fragile White Chalk is haunted by memory and regret.
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Each microscopic command center tells its little section of the muscle fiber what to do and when to contract.
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Facilities nationwide also maintain an unusual chain of command, in which guards—whose primary focus is security—are often the first to encounter inmates with medical complaints.
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Next, Alexa is coming to cars and will enable drivers to get directions and find restaurants via voice command.
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Sauveur is impressed with Lemieux's above-average curveball and improving change-up, but is looking for more fastball command.
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Instead, the Fed’s command of monetary policy kept its target interest rate near zero for seven years.
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The officer told the youth to put down the gun, but the youth disregarded the command.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'command.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of command
15th century
Synonym Discussion of command
command
Definition of command
: done on command or request a command performance
First Known Use of command
1826
COMMAND Defined for English Language Learners
command
playDefinition of command for English Language Learners
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: to give (someone) an order : to tell (someone) to do something in a forceful and often official way
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: to have authority and control over (a group of people, such as soldiers)
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: to deserve or be able to get or receive (something)
command
Definition of command for English Language Learners
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: an order given to a person or animal to do something
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: an instruction in the form of a code or signal that tells a computer to do something
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: the power that someone (such as a military officer) has to give orders and to control a group of people
COMMAND Defined for Kids
Definition of command for Students
commanded
;commanding
1 : to order with authority The king commanded them to leave.
2 : to have power or control over : be commander of He commands an army.
3 : to demand as right or due : exact A piano teacher commands a high fee.
4 : to survey from a good position The fort is on a hill that commands a view of the city.
Word Root of command
The Latin word mandāre, meaning “to commit” or “to order,” gives us the root mand. Words from the Latin mandāre have something to do with committing or ordering. When a task is mandatory, someone has ordered that it must be done. To command is to order someone to do something. A mandate is an order from an authority to follow specific instructions.
Definition of command for Students
1 : an order given Obey her command.
2 : the authority, right, or power to command : control The troops are under my command.
3 : the ability to control and use : mastery She has a good command of the language.
4 : the people, area, or unit (as of soldiers and weapons) under a commander
5 : a position from which military operations are directed
Learn More about command
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See words that rhyme with command Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for command Spanish Central: Translation of command Nglish: Translation of command for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of command for Arabic speakers
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