command

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) An order to do something.
2. (countable, uncountable) The right or authority to order, control or dispose of; the right to be obeyed or to compel obedience.
3. (countable, uncountable) power of control, direction or disposal; mastery.
4. (countable, uncountable) A position of chief authority; a position involving the right or power to order or control.
5. (countable, uncountable) The act of commanding; exercise or authority of influence.
6. (countable, uncountable) 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. (countable, uncountable) Dominating situation; range or control or oversight; extent of view or outlook.
8. (countable, uncountable) A directive to a computer program acting as an interpreter of some kind, in order to perform a specific task.
9. (countable, uncountable) The degree of control a pitcher has over his pitches.
10. (countable, uncountable) A command performance.

Verb

1. (ambitransitive) To order, give orders; to compel or direct with authority.
2. (ambitransitive) To have or exercise supreme power, control or authority over, especially military; to have under direction or control.
3. (transitive) To require with authority; to demand, order, enjoin.
4. (transitive) to dominate through ability, resources, position etc.; to overlook.
5. (transitive) To exact, compel or secure by influence; to deserve, claim.
6. (transitive) To hold, to control the use of.
7. (ambitransitive, archaic) To have a view (of), as from a superior position.
8. (obsolete) To direct to come; to bestow.

Synonyms

order

control

rule

direct

instruction

direction

dictate

decree

govern

bid

tell

mandate

injunction

instruct

charge

directive

authority

lead

commission

appoint

commandment

leadership

behest

enjoin

statement

law

edict

domination

reign

dictation

bidding

conduct

prescribe

dominate

mastery

request

dominion

ask

regulation

manage

precept

word

require

overlook

send

ordain

sovereignty

demand

compel

headquarters

Translations

Befehl

commander

comando

commandement

befehlen

Kommando

ordre

orden

mandar

comandare

commande

mando

bevelen

ordonner

comando

Pronounced as (IPA)

/kəˈmɑːnd/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: commanden

In summary

From Middle English commanden, commaunden, comaunden, comanden, from Old French comander, from Late Latin commandāre, from Latin commendāre. Ultimately from Latin com- + mandō (whence ultimately also commend (a doublet), mandate, and recommend), from manus + -dō.
Compare typologically Russian поручи́ть (poručítʹ), поруче́ние (poručénije), руководи́ть (rukovodítʹ), руководи́тель (rukovodítelʹ) related to рука́ (ruká).

Sentences

James Gold Andrews in command .

Body hunts turn up no results and Vice President Wheeler assumes command .

It is generally less error-prone than using the built-in " switch to " command .