order

verb

or·der | \ ˈȯr-dər

ordered; ordering\ ˈȯr-d(ə-)riŋ

Definition of order

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to put in order : arrange The books are ordered alphabetically by author.

2a : to give an order to : command They ordered everyone out of the house.

b : destine, ordain so ordered by the gods

c : to command to go or come to a specified place ordered back to the base

d : to give an order for order a meal I ordered the books from the company's website. The judge ordered a new trial.

intransitive verb

1 : to bring about order : regulate a renascence of the spirit that orders and controls— H. G. Wells

2a : to issue orders : command The general orders and soldiers obey.

b : to give or place an order Be sure to order before it's too late.

order

noun

Definition of order (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : a group of people united in a formal way: such as

(1) : a fraternal society the Masonic Order

(2) : a community under a religious rule especially : one requiring members to take solemn vows

b : a badge or medal of such a society also : a military decoration

2a : any of the several grades of the Christian ministry

b orders plural : the office of a person in the Christian ministry

c orders plural : ordination

3a : a rank, class, or special group in a community or society

b : a class of persons or things grouped according to quality, value, or natural characteristics: such as

(1) : a category of taxonomic classification ranking above the family and below the class

(2) : the broadest category in soil classification

4a(1) : rank, level a statesman of the first order

(2) : category, class in emergencies of this order— R. B. Westerfield

b(1) : the arrangement or sequence of objects or of events in time listed the items in order of importance the batting order

(2) : a sequential arrangement of mathematical elements

c : degree sense 12a

d(1) : the number of times differentiation is applied successively derivatives of higher order

(2) of a differential equation : the order of the derivative of highest order

e : the number of columns or rows or columns and rows in a magic square, determinant, or matrix the order of a matrix with 2 rows and 3 columns is 2 by 3

f : the number of elements in a finite mathematical group

5a(1) : a sociopolitical system was opposed to changes in the established order

(2) : a particular sphere or aspect of a sociopolitical system the present economic order

b : a regular or harmonious arrangement the order of nature

6a : a prescribed form of a religious service : rite

b : the customary mode of procedure especially in debate point of order

7a : the state of peace, freedom from confused or unruly behavior, and respect for law or proper authority promised to restore law and order

b : a specific rule, regulation, or authoritative direction : command

8a : a style of building

b : a type of column and entablature forming the unit of a style

9a : state or condition especially with regard to functioning or repair things were in terrible order

b : a proper, orderly, or functioning condition their passports were in order the phone is out of order

10a : a written direction to pay money to someone

b : a commission to purchase, sell, or supply goods or to perform work

c : goods or items bought or sold

d : an assigned or requested undertaking landing men on the moon was a tall order

11 : order of the day flat roofs were the order in the small villages

in order

: appropriate, desirable an apology is in order

in order to

: for the purpose of

on order

: in the process of being ordered

on the order of

1 : after the fashion of : like a genius on the order of Newton— D. B. Botkin

2 : about, approximately spent on the order of two million dollars

to order

: according to the specifications of an order shoes made to order

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order

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