commandment

noun

com·​mand·​ment kə-ˈman(d)-mənt How to pronounce commandment (audio)
Synonyms of commandmentnext
1
: the act or power of commanding
2
: something that is commanded
especially : one of the biblical Ten Commandments

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 The Sefer HaChinuch explains that these commandments are meant to cultivate rachamim (compassion) by training the heart through action. Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commandment

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of commandment was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Commandment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commandment. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

commandment

noun
com·​mand·​ment kə-ˈman(d)-mənt How to pronounce commandment (audio)
: something commanded
especially : one of the biblical Ten Commandments

More from Merriam-Webster on commandment

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