instruction

noun in·struc·tion \ in-ˈstrək-shən \

|Updated on: 23 Jun 2018

Examples: instruction in a Sentence

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

Subscribe to get warnings for imminent dangers, preventative instructions, evacuation directions, urgent safety alerts, access to essential resources, critical transit and utility outages, etc.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Fort Lauderdale and Oakland Park area events, June 20-30," 18 June 2018
The instructions recommend sectioning off your hair and saturating your hair with the spray.

— devon abelman, Allure, "Color Wow Dream Coat for Curls Humidity-Proofs Your Hair," 18 June 2018
The instructions provide phone numbers and email addresses for ICE and the Office of Refugee Settlement.

— daniel gonzález, azcentral, "Trump administration is separating migrant parents from children. What you need to know," 15 June 2018
Shi illustrated the recipe for the perfect Bao and shared the instructions with TIME—though these versions of the dumplings won’t come to life.

— eliana dockterman, Time, "Here's the Tasty Recipe for the Bao From Pixar's Charming New Short Bao," 14 June 2018
But to carry out the instructions, DNA needs another type of genetic material called RNA to get involved.

— julia belluz, Vox, "Why doctors are so bad at predicting pregnancy due dates," 9 June 2018
Vanessa O’Shea said a delivery man stayed true to the instructions written on a doormat and hid her package from her husband.

— Fox News, "Amazon delivery man captured following doormat's instruction to 'hide packages from husband'," 6 June 2018
Thompkins has been the deputy superintendent since 2016 and oversees curriculum and instruction, assessment, special education, educational support services, and school site principals.

— deborah sullivan brennan, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Retiring Oceanside superintendent leaves early; board names interim," 27 Apr. 2018
The senior director of equity and partnerships, the deputy human resources officer position and the senior directors of curriculum and instruction and teaching and learning were also eliminated.

— bethany barnes, OregonLive.com, "Portland Public Schools cuts 65 jobs in central administration," 24 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1b

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

instruction Synonyms

Other Education Terms

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

INSTRUCTION Defined for English Language Learners

instruction

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

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.