command

[kuh-mand, -mahnd]

verb (used with object)

1. to direct with specific authority or prerogative; order.

   The captain commanded his men to attack.

   Synonyms: prescribe, order, instruct, enjoin, direct, charge, bid
   Antonyms: obey

2. to require authoritatively; demand.

   She commanded silence.

3. to have or exercise authority or control over; be master of; have at one's bidding or disposal.

   The Pharaoh commanded 10,000 slaves.

   Synonyms: oversee, manage, rule, lead, govern, control

4. to deserve and receive (respect, sympathy, attention, etc.).

   He commands much respect for his attitude.

   Synonyms: exact, claim, compel

5. to dominate by reason of location; overlook.

   The hill commands the sea.

6. to have authority over and responsibility for (a military or naval unit or installation); be in charge of.

verb (used without object)

1. to issue an order or orders.

2. to be in charge; have authority.

3. to occupy a dominating position; look down upon or over a body of water, region, etc.

noun

1. the act of commanding or ordering.

   Synonyms: injunction, bidding, direction, instruction, mandate, charge

2. an order given by one in authority.

   The colonel gave the command to attack.

3. Military.

   1. an order in prescribed words, usually given in a loud voice to troops at close-order drill.

      The command was “Right shoulder arms!”

   2. the order of execution or the second part of any two-part close-order drill command, as face in Right face!

   3. Command, a principal component of the U.S. Air Force.

      Strategic Air Command.

   4. a body of troops or a station, ship, etc., under a commander.

4. the possession or exercise of controlling authority.

   a lieutenant in command of a platoon.

   Synonyms: understanding, knowledge, grasp, comprehension, proficiency, domination, sway, ascendancy, control, charge, authority

5. mastery; expertise.

   He has a command of French, Russian, and German.

6. British.,  a royal order.

7. power of dominating a region by reason of location; extent of view or outlook.

   the command of the valley from the hill.

8. Computers.

   1. an electric impulse, signal, or set of signals for initiating an operation in a computer.

   2. a character, symbol, or item of information for instructing a computer to perform a specific task.

   3. a single instruction.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or for use in the exercise of command: command post.

   a command car;

   command post.

2. of or relating to a commander.

   a command decision.

3. ordered by a sovereign, as if by a sovereign, or by the exigencies of a situation.

   a command performance.

command

¹

/ kəˈmɑːnd /

verb

1. (when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to order, require, or compel

2. to have or be in control or authority over (a person, situation, etc)

3. (tr) to have knowledge or use of

   he commands the language

4. (tr) to receive as due or because of merit

   his nature commands respect

5. to dominate (a view, etc) as from a height

noun

1. an order; mandate

2. the act of commanding

3. the power or right to command

4. the exercise of the power to command

5. ability or knowledge; control

   a command of French

6. military the jurisdiction of a commander

7. a military unit or units commanding a specific area or function, as in the RAF

8. 1. an invitation from the monarch

   2. ( as modifier )

      a command performance

9. computing a word or phrase that can be selected from a menu or typed after a prompt in order to carry out an action

Command

²

/ kəˈmɑːnd /

noun

1. any of the three main branches of the Canadian military forces

   Air Command

Other Word Forms

• commandable adjective
• precommand noun
• uncommanded adjective
• well-commanded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of command¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (verb) Middle English coma(u)nden, from Anglo-French com(m)a(u)nder, Old French comander, from Medieval Latin commandāre, equivalent to Latin com- com- + mandāre “to entrust, order” ( commend ); (noun) late Middle English comma(u)nde, from Anglo-French, Old French; the noun is derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of command¹

C13: from Old French commander, from Latin com- (intensive) + mandāre to entrust, enjoin, command

Idioms and Phrases

• have a good command

Synonym Study

See direct. See rule.

Example Sentences

Ellie Reeves becomes Solicitor General, replacing Lucy Rigby, who is moving to the Treasury to become economic secretary, effectively third in command to Rachel Reeves.

From BBC

"The next democratic consent vote in 2028 will serve as the clearest indicator of whether the Windsor Framework can command the confidence of both communities in Northern Ireland," he added.

From BBC

On June 9, Breyer ruled to strip the president of command of federalized troops, saying he’d overstepped his authority under an obscure subsection of the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

He doesn’t overpower opponents the way he could in his prime, relying more on consistent command, pitch sequencing and veteran guile to post a 9-2 record and 3.06 ERA in 17 starts this year.

From Los Angeles Times

The role is a new creation, designed to give Sir Keir Starmer firmer command of the government machine he has complained is sluggish and unwieldy.

From BBC

Related Words

• ability 
• authority 
• control 
• expertise 
• government 
• grasp 
• jurisdiction 
• leadership 
• management 
• skill 
• supervision