instruction

play

noun in·struc·tion \ in-ˈstrək-shən \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of instruction

1 a :precept

prevailing cultural instructions

b :a direction calling for compliance :order —usually used in plural

had instructions not to admit strangers

c instructions plural :an outline or manual of technical procedure :directions

d :a code that tells a computer to perform a particular operation

2 :the action, practice, or profession of teaching

—

instructional

play \in-ˈstrək-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

See instruction defined for English-language learners

See instruction defined for kids

Examples of instruction in a Sentence

You should read each instruction carefully.
Their instruction was to deliver the package by five o'clock.
The after-school program offers reading instruction to students who need it.
The computer can handle one million instructions per second.

Recent Examples of instruction from the Web

In 1935, the basic 1040 form that most people file had two simple pages of instruction.

— glenn kessler, Washington Post, "Fact-checking President Trump’s speech on his tax plan," 31 Aug. 2017
Prosecutors said dash-cam video of the shooting — which unfolded in about nine seconds — showed Proano violated all of those instructions.

— jason meisner, chicagotribune.com, "Jury convicts Chicago cop of shooting at car, wounding two teens," 28 Aug. 2017
But, many commanders said, crews were too busy to provide that kind of instruction.

— dave philipps and eric schmitt, New York Times, "Fatigue and Training Gaps Spell Disaster at Sea, Sailors Warn," 27 Aug. 2017
Academy is asking consumers who have purchased the product to stop using it immediately and contact the store for instructions on getting a free replacement hose.

— kelly poe, AL.com, "Academy Sports + Outdoors recalls crawfish kit due to fire hazard," 24 Aug. 2017
During his tenure in GCISD, Westfall served as deputy superintendent with responsibility for the instructional division, including curriculum and instruction, campus leadership, continuous improvement and accountability and technology.

— marice richter photos by robert peacock, star-telegram, "Listen and learn," 23 Aug. 2017
The camp, however, offered more than just instruction.

— pat disabato, Daily Southtown, "Disabato: Tyler Ulis' tale about giving back, being loyal to Marian Catholic," 15 Aug. 2017
The team sent the instructions from a building away and the machine assembled the virus entirely on its own.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Researchers Build a Fax Machine for Viruses," 2 Aug. 2017
To this day, instructions on the Yunnan Baiyao bottle recommend application after being shot or stabbed.

— The Economist, "Reform of China’s ailing state-owned firms is emboldening them," 20 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'instruction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of instruction

15th century

instruction Synonyms

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

INSTRUCTION Defined for English Language Learners

instruction

play

noun

Definition of instruction for English Language Learners

: a statement that describes how to do something
: an order or command
: the action or process of teaching : the act of instructing someone

INSTRUCTION Defined for Kids

instruction

play

noun in·struc·tion \ in-ˈstrək-shən \

Definition of instruction for Students

1 instructions plural :a specific rule or command

I left instructions that I was not to be disturbed.

2 instructions plural :an outline of how something is to be done

Follow the instructions on the box.

3 :the act or practice of teaching

Students receive instruction in history.

Law Dictionary

instruction

noun in·struc·tion

legal Definition of instruction

:an explanation of an applicable principle of law given by a judge to a jury before the jury retires to consider its verdict — called also jury charge, jury instruction

Note: Under both the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, at the close of evidence, or before the close if the court reasonably so directs, any party may file written requests for the instructions to be given to the jury by the court. The court must advise the parties of its decision regarding the instructions prior to closing argument so that the parties may address the instructions during argument. Any objections to the instructions must be made before the jury retires for deliberation.