Skip to the word

Added 8 October 2026

command

/kəˈmɑːnd/ noun

In Latin: ēdictum, iussus, mandātum Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about command at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

An order to do something.
I was given a command to cease shooting.
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
power of control, direction or disposal; mastery.
he had command of the situation

verb

To order, to give orders; to compel or direct with authority.
The soldier was commanded to cease firing.
To have or exercise supreme power, control, or authority (especially military over; to have under direction or control.
to command an army or a ship
To require with authority; to demand, order, enjoin.
he commanded silence

Origin

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).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word