command

1 of 3

verb

com·​mand kə-ˈmand 

commanded; commanding; commands

transitive verb

1

: to direct authoritatively : order

commanded adherence to the rules

2

: to exercise a dominating influence over : have command of: such as

a

: to have at one's immediate disposal

commands many resources

b

: to demand or receive as one's due

commands a high fee

c

: to overlook or dominate from or as if from a strategic position

a hill that commands the city

d

: 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

a leader who knows how to command well

2

: to give orders

Rob seldom commanded, but when he did Master Ted had to give in.

—Louisa May Alcott

3

: to be commander

The general will command at the western front.

4

: to dominate as if from an elevated place

commandable

kə-ˈman-də-bəl 

adjective

command

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: an order given

The command was to hold fire.

b(1)

: a signal that actuates a device (such as a control mechanism in a spacecraft or one step in a computer)

(2)

: the activation of a device by means of such a signal

(3)

: a line of code (see code entry 1 sense 5) instructing a computer to send such a signal

2

a

: the ability to control : mastery

She was in command of her emotions.

b

: the authority or right to command

the officer in command

c(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 French

e

: control sense 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.

command

3 of 3

adjective

: done on command or request

a command performance

Phrases

on command

: when an order is given : in response to a command

a dog trained to attack on command

Synonyms

Verb

• adjure
• bid
• boss (around)
• charge
• direct
• enjoin
• instruct
• order
• tell

Noun

• behest
• charge
• commandment
• decree
• dictate
• direction
• directive
• do
• edict
• imperative
• injunction
• instruction
• order
• word

Choose the Right Synonym for command

Verb

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

Noun

power, authority, jurisdiction, control, command, sway, dominion mean the right to govern or rule or determine.

power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

Examples of command in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Noun

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.

See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Black women are known for their commanding versatility and limitless creativity through the art of hairstyling. —Tenille Clarke, Essence, 12 Sep. 2023

At this tournament, the commanding arrival of Gauff, who won the women’s singles title Saturday evening, along with memorable performances by Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, proved that thinking wrong. —Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2023

There was a time when Prince Harry basked in global affection as his work effortlessly commanded the public backing of the Queen, the President, and the First Lady. —Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, 8 Sep. 2023

Lourd has emerged over the past 20 years as an industry rainmaker who commands respect from talent and management alike. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 7 Sep. 2023

With Justin Jefferson commanding most of the attention, T.J. should have a big year. —Daniel Kohn, Spin, 6 Sep. 2023

Sudan’s military ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who commands SAF, issued a decree to dissolve RSF on Wednesday. —Nima Elbagir, CNN, 6 Sep. 2023

The crew of four is commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Axiom Space's director of human spaceflight. —Jamie Groh, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2023

In Auburn’s second offensive possession, after Thorne had piloted the Tigers inside the UMass 25-yard line, Freeze called on Ashford to command the offense the rest of the way. —Ainslie Lee | [e-mail], al, 5 Sep. 2023

Noun

The command, which was coordinating the operation to free the cruise ship, said the nearest Danish navy ship was about 1,200 nautical miles (more than 2,000 kilometers or 1,380 miles) away. —Jan M. Olsen, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Sep. 2023

Fischer put out a call for show dogs earlier this year, and on April 13, about a dozen dogs and their handlers showed up for an open dog audition at Copenhagen Music House to show off their talent for barking on command. —Cathy Free, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023

Hundreds of transfers and hand-offs of command have been stalled. —Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 10 Sep. 2023

For now, the strategic command center is at Mr. Morris’s dining room table in Malibu, not in Washington. —Katie Rogers, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2023

He’s also helped the command with translation when necessary, though English is spoken in most places. —Erika I. Ritchie, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023

Officeholders are visible, command media attention and have the power of the pulpit to speak directly to residents via their official activities. —Emily Opilo, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2023

During a typhoon, when Queeg ordered the Caine to go south to escape the high winds, Lieutenant Maryk (Jake Lacy) relieved him of his command, steering the ship north. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 Sep. 2023

Some are designed to give an audio message while others have high-powered cameras that stream video to NYPD command centers, tablet devices in patrol cars and mobile devices in officers’ hands, the official said. —Mark Morales, CNN, 2 Sep. 2023

Adjective

An upcoming marksmanship exercise for early-August was also canceled, as were a pre-command course, firearms training for soldiers who need to improve their marksmanship, and more. —Oren Liebermann, CNN, 23 July 2021

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Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English comanden, from Anglo-French cumander, from Vulgar Latin *commandare, alteration of Latin commendare to commit to one's charge — more at commend

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1826, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing command

• command sergeant major
• high command
• on someone's command
• command economy
• second-in-command
• someone's wish is my command
• command post
• chain of command
• in (full) command of
• at someone's command
• command module
• self-command
• command car
• command performance
• on command

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• command sergeant major
• high command
• on someone's command
• command economy
• second-in-command
• someone's wish is my command
• command post
• chain of command
• in (full) command of
• at someone's command
• command module
• self-command
• command car
• command performance
• on command

See More

Kids Definition

command

1 of 2 verb

com·​mand kə-ˈmand 

1

a

: to issue orders by right of authority

b

: to have authority and control over : be commander of

command an army

2

: to have for one's use

commands many resources

3

: to demand or receive as one's due : exact

commands a high fee

4

: to look down on especially from a militarily strong position

the hill commands the town

command

2 of 2 noun

1

: the act of commanding

march on command

2

: an order given

obey a command

3

a

: the ability to control : mastery

a good command of French

b

: the authority, right, or power to command

4

: the people, area, or unit under a commander

5

: a position from which military operations are directed