instruction

noun

in-STRUK-shuhn/ɪnˈstɹʌkʃən/

6 meanings of instruction

1
nouncountable or uncountableplural
Directions from a company that tell you how to use a product.
Like a recipe that tells you each step to make a meal.
Read the instruction sheet before you put the desk together.
The instructions say to charge the phone for two hours first.
Similardirections, guidelines
Note
2
noununcountable
The act of teaching someone or giving them information or knowledge.
She received piano instruction from a local teacher for five years.
The school offers extra instruction in math after class.
Similarteaching, education, training, tuition, tutoring
Note
3
nouncountable
An order that tells someone what to do.
The teacher gave one clear instruction: line up by the door.
He did not follow my instruction to lock the gate.
Similarorder, command, directive, direction
4
nouncountable
A piece of knowledge or information that someone teaches you.
The most useful instruction her tutor gave her was to check every answer twice.
He remembered one instruction from his coach: keep your eyes on the ball.
Similarlesson, tip, precept, pointer
5
nouncountable or uncountable
One basic step that the main chip in a computer can carry out.
Like one single move in a dance: the computer does millions of tiny moves very fast to finish the whole dance.
Each instruction tells the computer to do one small thing, like adding two numbers.
A simple game can make the computer run millions of instructions every second.
Similaroperation
Note
6
nouncountable or uncountableplural
Directions that a person gives to their lawyer about what to do in a case.
The lawyer cannot act without instruction from her client.
He gave his lawyer instructions to settle the case quickly.
Similarbrief, mandate
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin "instructio," through Old French and Middle English. It is made from "instruct" plus "-ion."