command

Pluralcommands

Formscommands, commanding, commanded

1. 1
   an ordernouncountable

   An instruction given by someone in authority telling another person what to do.

   The sergeant's command echoed across the parade ground.

   At the captain's command, the rowers lifted their oars together.

   UsageYou give a command or act at someone's command; often a command to + verb.

   Similarorder, directive, instruction

2. 2
   computernouncountable

   An instruction given to a computer program to make it perform a specific task.

   The command copies every file from one folder to another.

   Developers typed a single command to restart the server.

   UsageYou type, run or enter a command.

   Similarinstruction

   Note

   In computing, the order is addressed to a program acting as an interpreter rather than to a person, and the program reads it and carries out one defined task. It keeps the core idea of an order to do something, with a machine in place of the one who obeys.

3. 3
   tell to doverbtransitive or intransitive

   To give orders to someone; to compel or direct people with authority.

   You can't simply command teenagers to clean their rooms and expect them to obey.

   The guard commanded us to stop and show our passes.

   UsageUsually command someone to do something: the guard commanded us to stop.

   Similarorder, direct, control, demand

   Oppositeobey, follow

   Note

   Shakespeare could drop the to, as in "Say, I command her come to me" in The Taming of the Shrew, but modern English keeps it. Source

   Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

   • The Taming of the Shrew contains the quoted construction without "to"; Petruchio speaks the line in Act 5, Scene 2. internetshakespeare.uvic.ca
4. 4
   noununcountable

   Authority to give orders and control others, or the position of being in charge.

   Command of the regiment was a post earned through decades of service.

   She rose steadily until she held command at headquarters.

   UsageCommon in in command of, take command of and under someone's command.

   Similarcontrol, charge, authority, leadership

5. 5
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To have authority over and control of something, especially a military force, resources, or territory.

   He commands the largest division in the army.

   Officers who command warships train for years.

   Similarlead, govern

6. 6
   earnverbtransitive

   To secure or be worth something, such as respect or a high price, through influence or merit.

   Rare first editions command staggering sums among collectors.

   His calm authority commanded the respect of everyone in the room.

   UsageUsually with respect, attention or a price: command respect, command a high price.

   Similarfetch, earn, win, attract, garner

   Oppositelose, forfeit

7. 7
   nouncountable or uncountable

   Control over a situation, or thorough knowledge or mastery of a skill, subject, or language.

   Her command of the subject impressed the examiners.

   Years of practice gave him complete command of the instrument.

   UsageUsually command of something, often with an adjective: a good command of English.

   Similarmastery, grasp, control, knowledge

8. 8
   verbtransitive

   To dominate or control something through ability, resources, or position; also, to overlook from above.

   Companies that command their industries can dictate terms to suppliers.

   The ancient citadel commands the harbor from its rocky perch.

   UsageOf a high place, often command a view of something.

   Similardominate, control, overlook, rule, govern

9. 9
   troopsnouncountable

   A body of troops, or any naval or military force, under the control of a particular officer.

   The colonel inspected his command before dawn.

   A naval command of twelve ships patrolled the coast.

   Similarunit, force, detachment, squadron

   Note

   Here command names the people rather than the authority: the force itself, which an officer can inspect, lose or rescue. In Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness (1899), the narrator spends his time "fishing my command out of the river". His command there is the sunken steamboat in his charge, not a body of men. Outside the military the word stretches to any body in someone's charge, such as a city's police command, from sergeant to chief. Source

   Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts

   • Joseph Conrad wrote Heart of Darkness. en.wikisource.org
   • Heart of Darkness was first published in 1899, as a magazine serial. en.wikisource.org
   • The quoted words occur in Marlow's narration of recovering his vessel. gutenberg.org
   • The referent of "my command" is Marlow's sunken steamboat, rather than a body of men. gutenberg.org

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