26984 words

instruction

13 definitions • 25 examples
1
something that someone tells you to do:

Examples:

on/under instruction The police who broke into the house were only acting on/under instructions.
[ + to infinitive ] He gave me strict instructions to get there by eight o'clock.
2
advice and information about how to do or use something, often written in a book or on the side of a container:

Examples:

The cooking instructions say to bake it for half an hour.
3

Examples:

instruction on The video provides instruction on how to operate the computer.
basic instruction in The course gives you basic instruction in car maintenance.
instruction manual Have you seen the instruction manual for the washing machine?
4
the act of teaching someone how to do something:

Examples:

The course gives you basic instruction in car maintenance and repairs.
5
an order to do something, esp. a formal order:

Examples:

[ + to infinitive ] The general received instructions to return to the base.
6
written advice and information about how to do or use something:

Examples:

clear/detailed/step-by-step instructions The furniture comes with detailed instructions about how to assemble it.
assembly/installation instructions The first step is following the installation instructions as well as the on-screen requests from the program.
7
something that someone tells you to do:

Examples:

It was a confusing instruction, and I wasn't sure what he wanted me to do.
give sb instructions on sth My boss gave me instructions on what to say to the press.
give sb instructions to do sth She gave me instructions not to contact the customer directly.
act on/carry out/follow (sb's) instructions The shares allow him to force the board to carry out his instructions.
disregard/ignore (sb's) instructions I ignored the instructions I had been given and went ahead with the deal anyway.
8
a piece of information that tells a computer how to do something:

Examples:

Simple computer processors execute instructions one after the other.
9
the act of teaching something:

Examples:

instruction in/on sth You will receive instruction on how to operate the system.
10
a book that gives advice and information about how to do or use something:

Examples:

Be sure to read your instruction manual and follow the recommendations for safe operation.
11
if someone is under instructions to do something, they have been told to do it:

Examples:

She was under instructions to report back to head office every day.
12
if you do something on the instruction(s) of someone, you do it because they have told you to:

Examples:

On the instructions of her solicitor, she refused to give a statement.
13
being taught something:

Examples:

The trainee learns by carrying out real work tasks under instruction from a more experienced colleague.

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