instruct

UKin-STRUKT/ɪnˈstɹʌkt/AUSin-STRAKT/ɪnˈstɹakt/

Formsinstructs, instructing, instructed

6 meanings of instruct

1
verbtransitive
To teach someone how to do something by telling them step by step.
Like a teacher showing you each step until you can do it yourself.
The coach will instruct the new players on the basic rules.
She instructed the class in how to fold paper cranes.
Similarteach, educate, guide
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2
verbtransitive
To tell a person what they must or should do.
Like giving someone clear orders they need to follow.
The doctor instructed him to rest for a week.
Please instruct the driver to wait outside.
Similarorder, command, direct
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3
verbtransitive
To officially hire your own lawyer and tell them how to handle your case.
Like hiring someone and telling them exactly how to do a job for you.
They decided to instruct a lawyer to handle the property dispute.
She instructed a lawyer to challenge the will.
Similarretain, engage, hire, brief, appoint
Oppositedismiss, discharge
Note

Less common meanings

4
adjectiveobsolete
Taught and well informed about something.
Who ever by consulting at thy shrine Return’d the wiser, or the more instruct To flye or follow what concern’d him most, And run not sooner to his fatal snare?
1671, John Milton, Paradise RegainedHere, instruct means taught or better informed.
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5
nounobsolete
Teaching or guidance given to someone.
Note
6
adjectiveobsolete
Set up and supplied with the things that are needed.
The great hall stood instruct with banners and long tables.
For he had neither ship, instruct with oares, Nor men to fetch him from those stranger shores.
c. 1615, George Chapman, Homer’s OdyssesHere, instruct means fitted out or supplied, as a ship with oars.
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Practice

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Origin

From Latin instruo, meaning to teach, arrange, or provide.