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instruct

verb
in·​struct | \ in-ˈstrÉ™kt How to pronounce instruct (audio) \
instructed; instructing; instructs

Definition of instruct

transitive verb

1 : to give knowledge to : teach, train
2 : to provide with authoritative information or advice the judge instructed the jury
3 : to give an order or command to : direct
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about instruct

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Choose the Right Synonym for instruct

teach, instruct, educate, train, discipline, school mean to cause to acquire knowledge or skill. teach applies to any manner of imparting information or skill so that others may learn. taught us a lot about our planet instruct suggests methodical or formal teaching. instructs raw recruits in military drill educate implies development of the mind. more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person train stresses instruction and drill with a specific end in view. trained foreign pilots to operate the new aircraft discipline implies training in habits of order and precision. a disciplined mind school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master. schooled the horse in five gaits

command, order, bid, enjoin, direct, instruct, charge mean to issue orders. command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality. command stresses official exercise of authority. a general commanding troops order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise. ordered his employees about like slaves bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants). she bade him be seated enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude. a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality. directed her assistant to hold all calls the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility. charged by the President with a secret mission

Examples of instruct in a Sentence

She instructed us that we were to remain in our seats. The judge instructed the jury that they should disregard the testimony of the last witness. She advised him to instruct a solicitor.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Workers were instructed to clean the rock of all paint and apply anti-graffiti paint, reseal nearby pavement that had graffiti on it, repaint adjacent guardrails and put in fast-growing plants in front of the rock. — Carol Cormaci, La Cañada Valley Sun, "La Cañada History: Hikers see devastation up close as Station fire moves on," 9 Sep. 2019 They were instructed to take only one small suitcase each. — Harrison Smith, Washington Post, "Diet Eman, Dutch resistance hero who saved Jews during World War II, dies at 99," 6 Sep. 2019 The victim was instructed to transfer the monies for the tickets via goggle pay to the sellers account. — Houston Chronicle, "Memorial Villages Police Department weekly report," 2 Sep. 2019 One group was instructed to think positively while the other was just told to listen to the music. — NBC News, "Can you actually learn how to be happier?," 29 Aug. 2019 The third round of the season-ending PGA Tour event had been suspended for about 30 minutes because of storms in the area, and fans were instructed to seek shelter. — Doug Ferguson, Twin Cities, "Lightning strike at Tour Championship causes 6 injuries," 25 Aug. 2019 The third round of the season-ending PGA Tour event had been suspended for about 30 minutes because of storms in the area, and fans were instructed to seek shelter. — Doug Ferguson, Time, "Spectators Injured by Lightening Strike at Tour Championship in Atlanta," 24 Aug. 2019 The third round of the season-ending PGA Tour event had been suspended for about 30 minutes because of storms in the area, and fans were instructed to seek shelter. — Doug Ferguson, BostonGlobe.com, "Lightning strike injures six at Tour Championship," 24 Aug. 2019 The third round of the season-ending PGA Tour event was suspended for about 30 minutes because of storms in the area, and fans were instructed to seek shelter. — CBS News, "Lightning strike leaves at least 5 injured at PGA tournament in Atlanta," 24 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'instruct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of instruct

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for instruct

Middle English, from Latin instructus, past participle of instruere, from in- + struere to build — more at structure

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More Definitions for instruct

instruct

verb
How to pronounce instruct (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of instruct

formal
: to teach (someone) a subject, skill, etc.
: to give (someone) an order or command
law : to give an order or an explanation of a law to (a jury)

See the full definition for instruct in the English Language Learners Dictionary

instruct

verb
in·​struct | \ in-ˈstrÉ™kt How to pronounce instruct (audio) \
instructed; instructing

Kids Definition of instruct

1 : to give knowledge to : teach A tutor instructs him in math.
2 : to give information to I instructed him that school was closed.
3 : to give directions or commands to She instructed us to stay seated.

instruct

transitive verb
in·​struct

Legal Definition of instruct

: to provide (a jury) with explanation and directions regarding the law applicable to a case the judge instructed the jury that the plaintiff bears the burden of proof the jury was instructed to ignore the attorney's comments

intransitive verb

: to give instructions to a jury the trial judge refused to instruct on manslaughter— W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.

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