commandment

noun

com·​mand·​ment kə-ˈman(d)-mənt 

1

: the act or power of commanding

2

: something that is commanded

especially : one of the biblical Ten Commandments

Synonyms of commandment

• instruction
• edict
• order
• injunction
• directive
• direction
• do

Examples of commandment in a Sentence

the Ten Commandments in the Bible

the boss left behind a list of commandments for running the office while he was away

Recent Examples on the Web

What started out as a thrifty practice has become an unofficial commandment of Southern kitchens—don't waste one drop of tasty bacon grease. —Josh Miller, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026

Those archangels, Michael and Gabriel, are on hand to assist God in handing down those new commandments. —David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026

Still, some powerful feeling of peoplehood, of a commandment being violated, swept over me. —Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026

After all, Moses famously spent 40 days and 40 nights alone on Mount Sinai before receiving the 10 commandments from God, and Buddha meditated for 49 days under a Bodhi tree before reaching enlightenment. —Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for commandment

• disbandment

Kids Definition

commandment

noun

com·​mand·​ment kə-ˈman(d)-mənt 

: something commanded

especially : one of the biblical Ten Commandments