command

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English [edit]

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Etymology [edit]

From Old French comander (modern French commander), from Vulgar Latin *commandare, from Latin commendare, from com- + mandare, from mandō (“I order, command”). Compare commend, mandate.

Pronunciation [edit]

  • (RP) IPA: /kəˈmɑːnd/
  • (GenAm) IPA: /kəˈmænd/
  • Audio (US)
    		(file)
  • Hyphenation: com‧mand

Noun [edit]

command (plural commands)

  1. An order, a compelling task given to an inferior or a machine.
    I was given a command to cease shooting.
  2. The right or authority to order, control or dispose of; the right to be obeyed or to compel obedience.
    to have command of an army
  3. power of control, direction or disposal; mastery.
    he had command of the situation
    England has long held command of the sea
    a good command of language
  4. A position of chief authority; a position involving the right or power to order or control.
    General Smith was placed in command.
  5. The act of commanding; exercise or authority of influence.
    Command cannot be otherwise than savage, for it implies an appeal to force, should force be needful. (H. Spencer, Social Statics, p. 180)
  6. (military) A body or troops, or any naval or military force, under the control of a particular officer; by extension, any object or body in someone's charge.
  7. Dominating situation; range or control or oversight; extent of view or outlook.
  8. (computing) A directive to a computer program acting as an interpreter of some kind, in order to perform a specific task.
  9. (baseball) The degree of control a pitcher has over his pitches.
    He's got good command tonight.

Translations [edit]

order
the right or authority to order, control or dispose of
power of control, direction or disposal; mastery
unit of military personnel
computing: directive to a computer program
in baseball
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
Translations to be checked

Verb [edit]

command (third-person singular simple present commands, present participle commanding, simple past and past participle commanded)

  1. (transitive) To order, give orders; to compel or direct with authority.
    The soldier was commanded to cease firing.
    The king commanded his servant to bring him dinner.
  2. (transitive) To have or exercise supreme power, control or authority over, especially military; to have under direction or control.
    to command an army or a ship
  3. (transitive) To require with authority; to demand, order, enjoin.
    he commanded silence
    If thou be the son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (Mat. IV. 3.)
  4. (transitive) to dominate through ability, resources, position etc.; to overlook.
    Bridges commanded by a fortified house. (Motley.)
  5. (transitive) To exact, compel or secure by my moral influence; to deserve, claim.
    A good magistrate commands the respect and affections of the people.
    Justice commands the respect and affections of the people.
    The best goods command the best price.
  6. To hold, to control the use of
    The fort commanded the bay.

Synonyms [edit]

Translations [edit]

to order
to hold, to control

Derived terms [edit]

Terms derived from the noun or verb command

References [edit]

  • command in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
  • “command” in OED Online, Oxford University Press, 1989.

Statistics [edit]

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