Definition

1. Noun:

   • A command or instruction given by someone in authority: An authoritative direction that must be obeyed.
   • A state of proper arrangement, organization, or functioning: A condition where things are neat, logical, or working correctly.
   • A request to make, supply, or deliver something: A formal instruction to provide goods or services, often in exchange for payment.
   • A sequence or arrangement of things: The way in which items follow one another in a logical or prescribed sequence.
   • A category or rank in a system of classification: A level in a hierarchy, such as in biology, society, or an organization.
   • A formal association or society, often with specific rules or purposes: A group of people bound by common rules or aims, such as a religious or fraternal group.
   • A prescribed procedure or established practice: The customary way things are done, especially in a formal setting like a meeting or court.

2. Verb:

   • To give a command or instruction authoritatively: To direct someone to do something with the expectation of obedience.
   • To request (something) to be made, supplied, or served: To formally ask for goods or services.
   • To arrange or organize things systematically: To put items into a logical or desired sequence.
   • To bring about a state of organization or control: To impose structure or discipline on a situation.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The general gave the order to advance. (A command from an authority.)
  • Please keep your files in order. (A state of proper arrangement.)
  • I placed an order for a new book online. (A request for goods.)
  • The names are listed in alphabetical order. (A sequence or arrangement.)
  • Lions and tigers belong to the order Carnivora. (A category in biological classification.)
  • He is a member of a monastic order. (A formal religious association.)

• Verb:

  • The judge ordered the courtroom to be silent. (Gave an authoritative command.)
  • We should order pizza for dinner. (Request a service.)
  • She ordered the documents by date. (Arranged systematically.)
  • The new manager worked to order the chaotic department. (Brought organization.)

Advanced Usage

• "In order to" / "In order that": For the purpose of; so that.

  • She studied hard in order to pass the exam.
  • He spoke slowly in order that everyone could understand.

• "Out of order":

  • Not functioning correctly.

    • The elevator is out of order.
  • Not following proper parliamentary or procedural rules.

    • The comment was ruled out of order by the chairperson.

• "Tall order": A request or task that is very difficult to fulfill.

  • Finishing the project in one day is a tall order.

Variants and Related Words

• Orderly (adj./n.):

  • (Adjective) Neat and well-organized.

    • The room was orderly and clean.
  • (Noun) A hospital attendant or a soldier assigned to carry orders.

    • The medical orderly assisted the doctor.

• Disorder (n.): A state of confusion or lack of organization; a medical condition.

  • The room was in complete disorder.
  • She was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

• Reorder (v.): To order again; to arrange in a different order.

  • We need to reorder our inventory.
  • You can reorder the list by dragging items.

Synonyms

• Noun (Command): Directive, instruction, decree, mandate.
• Noun (Arrangement): Sequence, series, arrangement, organization.
• Verb (Command): Command, instruct, direct, enjoin.
• Verb (Arrange): Arrange, organize, sort, classify.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Order around: To constantly give commands to someone in a domineering way.

  • He doesn't like his boss ordering him around.

• Order in: To request food delivery (to one's home or office).

  • Let's order in Chinese food tonight.

• Order out: To request food to be taken away from a restaurant (takeout).

  • We decided to order out instead of cooking.

Related Idioms

• Law and order: A situation where laws are obeyed and society is peaceful and orderly.

  • The government promised to restore law and order.

• The order of the day: The prevailing situation or common practice.

  • In this company, innovation is the order of the day.

• Call to order: To formally begin a meeting or to request that a meeting proceed properly.

  • The chairperson called the meeting to order at 9 AM.

Noun

1. the act of putting things in a sequential arrangement
   • there were mistakes in the ordering of items on the list
2. (architecture) one of original three styles of Greek architecture distinguished by the type of column and entablature used or a style developed from the original three by the Romans
3. a request for something to be made, supplied, or served
   • I gave the waiter my order
   • the company's products were in such demand that they got more orders than their call center could handle
4. (biology) taxonomic group containing one or more families
5. a group of person living under a religious rule
   • the order of Saint Benedict
6. (usually plural) the status or rank or office of a Christian clergyman in an ecclesiastical hierarchy
   • theologians still disagree over whether `bishop' should or should not be a separate Order
7. a body of rules followed by an assembly
8. a formal association of people with similar interests
   • he joined a golf club
   • they formed a small lunch society
   • men from the fraternal order will staff the soup kitchen today
9. a commercial document used to request someone to supply something in return for payment and providing specifications and quantities
   • IBM received an order for a hundred computers
10. a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
    • a friend in New Mexico said that the order caused no trouble out there
11. a condition of regular or proper arrangement
    • he put his desk in order
    • the machine is now in working order
12. logical or comprehensible arrangement of separate elements
    • we shall consider these questions in the inverse order of their presentation
13. established customary state (especially of society)
    • order ruled in the streets
    • law and order
14. a degree in a continuum of size or quantity
    • it was on the order of a mile
    • an explosion of a low order of magnitude
15. (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
    • the British ships dropped anchor and waited for orders from London

Verb

1. assign a rank or rating to
   • how would you rank these students?
   • The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide
2. arrange thoughts, ideas, temporal events
   • arrange my schedule
   • set up one's life
   • I put these memories with those of bygone times
3. appoint to a clerical posts
   • he was ordained in the Church
4. place in a certain order
   • order the photos chronologically
5. bring order to or into
   • Order these files
6. bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations
   • We cannot regulate the way people dress
   • This town likes to regulate
7. issue commands or orders for
8. make a request for something
   • Order me some flowers
   • order a work stoppage
9. give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority
   • I said to him to go home
   • She ordered him to do the shopping
   • The mother told the child to get dressed