command

/kə-ˈmand/

Middle English comanden, from Anglo-French cumander, from Vulgar Latin *commandare, alteration of Latin commendare to commit to one's charge

verb

  1. to direct authoritatively : order

  2. to exercise a dominating influence over : have command of: such as

  3. to have at one's immediate disposal

commanded adherence to the rules

command order bid enjoin direct instruct charge mean to issue orders. command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality. command stresses official exercise of authority. order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

noun

  1. an order given

  2. a signal that actuates a device (such as a control mechanism in a spacecraft or one step in a computer)

  3. the activation of a device by means of such a signal

The command was to hold fire.

power authority jurisdiction control command sway dominion mean the right to govern or rule or determine. power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence. authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

adjective

  1. done on command or request

a command performance