instruction

noun in·struc·tion \ in-ˈstrək-shən \

|Updated on: 4 Aug 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

Unfortunately, like so many classic recipes, the Girl Scouts’ instructions lacked specificity.

— evelyn lamb, Smithsonian, "The Scientific Quest For the Perfect S’more," 13 July 2018
Wilcox is also talking about setting tighter controls over what is taught at each school and in each grade level to ensure that all students get the same rigorous instruction.

— ann doss helms, charlotteobserver, "CMS leader has won fans among teachers. But these moves may test their loyalty.," 13 July 2018
More substantive are the instructions issued to media outlets by China’s propaganda authorities.

— The Economist, "In its trade war with America, China dials down the hype," 12 July 2018
The instruction means that survivors won't even have the chance to argue their case before an immigration court.

— refinery29.com, "U.S. Will Automatically Reject Asylum Requests From Domestic Violence Survivors," 12 July 2018
The new instructions come as the administration is embroiled in a related controversy over its zero-tolerance border policy, which resulted in the separation of more than 3,000 children from undocumented parents or guardians crossing the border.

— alan gomez, USA TODAY, "Trump administration activates new asylum crackdown; potentially valid claims could be denied," 12 July 2018
The instructions to conferees adopted Wednesday don’t have the weight of legislation.

— vivian salama, WSJ, "Senate Takes Symbolic Step to Assert Power on Trade," 11 July 2018
If the cell is successfully infected, the cell will read the new genetic instructions alongside its normal DNA — much like adding a few extra lines of code into an existing computer program.

— anna groves, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Want to prevent your children from getting cancer? Doctors push HPV vaccine," 9 July 2018
More than two miles inside the cave, where they are being fortified with high-protein gels and foil warming blankets, the boys have been practicing wearing diving masks and breathing under the instructions of the Seals.

— george styllis, latimes.com, "Rescue mission seeking to free trapped Thai soccer team may face danger from weekend storms," 6 July 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.