Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
Comforter
comforter
comforting
comfortless
comfrey
comfy
comic
comic book
comic opera
comic relief
comic strip
comical
Comice
coming
coming of age
comings and goings
Comintern
Click to move down the list of words
Also available:

World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français

command

com·mand [ kə mánd ]


noun  (plural com·mands)
Definition:
 
1. order: an order or instruction given by somebody in authority

2. control: control over somebody or something that is gained by personal power or authority
She sized up the situation and took command.

3. thorough knowledge: thorough knowledge of something, especially a language
a fluent command of French

4. comput operating instruction to computer: an instruction to a computer to carry out an operation

5. military military control: the ability to control an area militarily
Our primary objective is to gain command of the high ground.

6. military group of officers in control: a group of officers who control part of an army
the enemy command

7. military military group with particular function: a unit or units, an organization, or an entire area under the control of one person



verb  (past and past participle com·mand·ed, present participle com·mand·ing, 3rd person present singular com·mands)
Definition:
 
1. transitive verb order somebody: to give somebody an order or instruction
I command you to let these men go.

2. transitive verb be able to obtain something: to deserve or be entitled to something
With your qualifications you can command a high salary.

3. transitive verb look over something: to be in a position that has a wide view over something
The observation deck commands a breathtaking view of San Francisco Bay.

4. transitive and intransitive verb military have authority over something: to control a military unit or a specific area
an officer who commands a special operations battalion

5. transitive verb military control or dominate area: to control an area using military force
a fort that commanded the single pass through steep mountains

[13th century. Via Anglo-Norman comaunder, Old French comander< assumed late Latin commandare "enjoin strongly" < Latin mandare (see mandate)]

com·mand·a·ble adjective
Advertisement

© 2009 Microsoft