Meaning of instruction In English

• 0 something that someone tells you to do:

  • The police who broke into the house were only acting on/under instructions.

  • [ + to infinitive ] He gave me strict instructions to get there by eight o'clock.

• 1 advice and information about how to do or use something, often written in a book or on the side of a container:

  • The cooking instructions say to bake it for half an hour.

  • You obviously didn't read the instructions properly.

  • They need clear instructions on what to do next.

  • The video provides instruction on how to operate the computer.

  • The course gives you basic instruction in car maintenance.

  • Have you seen the instruction manual for the washing machine?

• 2 the act of teaching someone how to do something:

  • The course gives you basic instruction in car maintenance and repairs.

• 3 an order to do something, esp. a formal order:

  • [ + to infinitive ] The general received instructions to return to the base.

• 4 written advice and information about how to do or use something:

  • Please read the instructions carefully.

  • Follow the instructions given below to activate your card.

  • clear/detailed/step-by-step instructions The furniture comes with detailed instructions about how to assemble it.

  • assembly/installation instructions The first step is following the installation instructions as well as the on-screen requests from the program.

• 5 something that someone tells you to do:

  • It was a confusing instruction, and I wasn't sure what he wanted me to do.

  • give sb instructions on sth My boss gave me instructions on what to say to the press.

  • give sb instructions to do sth She gave me instructions not to contact the customer directly.

  • to issue/receive instructions

  • clear/firm/strict instructions

  • act on/carry out/follow (sb's) instructions The shares allow him to force the board to carry out his instructions.

  • disregard/ignore (sb's) instructions I ignored the instructions I had been given and went ahead with the deal anyway.

• 6 a piece of information that tells a computer how to do something:

  • Simple computer processors execute instructions one after the other.

• 7 the act of teaching something:

  • instruction in/on sth You will receive instruction on how to operate the system.

• 8 a book that gives advice and information about how to do or use something:

  • Be sure to read your instruction manual and follow the recommendations for safe operation.

• 9 if someone is under instructions to do something, they have been told to do it:

  • She was under instructions to report back to head office every day.

• 10 if you do something on the instruction(s) of someone, you do it because they have told you to:

  • On the instructions of her solicitor, she refused to give a statement.

• 11 being taught something:

  • The trainee learns by carrying out real work tasks under instruction from a more experienced colleague.