command
Pluralcommands
Verbcommands, commanding, commanded
Pluralcommands
Formscommands, commanding, commanded
- 1An instruction telling someone what they must do.
Like a coach blowing a whistle to tell players exactly what to do.
The dog sat the moment it heard the command.
She gave a sharp command and the room fell silent.
UsageSay give a command.
Similarorder, directive, instruction
- 2An instruction you give a computer to make it do a task.
Like pressing a button that tells a machine to start working.
Type the command and press Enter to save the file.
One wrong command can delete all your files.
UsageSay type a command.
Similarinstruction
Note
- 3
- 4The power to give orders and be in charge of people or things.
Like becoming the captain who is in charge of the whole ship.
She was promoted to command of the station.
He hoped to win command of the ship one day.
UsageSay in command of the ship.
Similarcontrol, charge, authority, leadership
- 5
- 6To be worth or able to get something because of how good or respected you are.
Like a famous brand that people will happily pay more for.
Her paintings command high prices at auction.
A skilled plumber commands good wages in this city.
UsageSay command respect or command high prices.
- 7Full control of a situation, or great skill with something such as a language or subject.
Like knowing a game so well that you always pick the right move.
She has a great command of three languages.
His command of the piano amazed everyone.
UsageSay a good command of English.
- 8To control something because of your skill, money, or position, or to be high above a place and look over it.
Like a big dog that rules the whole yard.
With her height and skill, she can command the game near the net.
One company now commands almost the whole market for video games.
UsageA house can command a view of the sea.
- 9A group of soldiers or ships that one officer is in charge of.
Like a team that all answers to one coach.
The officer led his command into the valley.
Her command included two hundred soldiers.
Similarunit, force, detachment, squadron
Note
Less common meanings
- 10How well a pitcher can throw the ball exactly where they want it to go.
Like a dart player who can hit the same tiny spot every time.
The young pitcher showed great command in last night's game.
His command was off, and he walked four batters in a row.
UsageSay good command.
Similarcontrol, accuracy, precision
Note
- 11A show put on because an important person, like a king or queen, asked for it.
Like singing a song just because the king himself asked you to.
The band gave a command performance for the visiting queen.
Being asked for a command performance was a huge honor for the young singer.
UsageMostly command performance.
Note
- 12To look out over a place from somewhere high up.
Like standing on a roof where you can see the entire street below.
From the hilltop, the scouts could command the whole plain.
Farr and wide his eye commands.
1667, John Milton, Paradise LostHere, commands means looks out over a wide area from up high.Note
- 13To send for someone or something to come, or to give something as a gift.
I will command my blessing upon you.
1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, command means send or give, so to send a blessing on you.Note
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Old French comander, which came from Latin words meaning 'to entrust' or 'to order.' It is built from com- and a root related to 'hand.'
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts
- Command derives from Old French comander. en.wiktionary.org
- Old French comander derives from Latin. en.wiktionary.org
- The Latin ancestry includes meanings 'to entrust' and 'to order'. en.wiktionary.org
- The word ultimately contains com- and a root related to 'hand'. en.wiktionary.org