command Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
bid; dictation; bidding.
noun a military unit or region under the control of a single officer
noun the power or authority to command
- an admiral in command
noun availability for use
- the materials at the command of the potters grew
noun a position of highest authority
- the corporation has just undergone a change in command
noun great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity
control; mastery.
- a good command of French
noun (computer science) a line of code written as part of a computer program
instruction; program line; statement.
verb be in command of
- The general commanded a huge army
verb make someone do something
require.
verb demand as one's due
- This speaker commands a high fee
- The author commands a fair hearing from his readers
verb look down on
overtop; overlook; dominate.
- The villa dominates the town
verb exercise authoritative control or power over
control.
- control the budget
- Command the military forces

OE. comaunden, commanden, OF. comander, F. commander, fr. L. com- + mandare to commit to, to command. Cf. Commend, Mandate.

imperfect & past participle Commanded; present participle & verbal noun Commanding

To order with authority; to lay injunction upon; to direct; to bid; to charge.
We are commanded to forgive our enemies, but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our friends. Bacon.

Go to your mistress: Say, I command her come to me. Shak.
To exercise direct authority over; to have control of; to have at one's disposal; to lead.
Monmouth commanded the English auxiliaries. Macaulay.

Such aid as I can spare you shall command. Shak.
To have within a sphere of control, influence, access, or vision; to dominate by position; to guard; to overlook.
Bridges commanded by a fortified house. Motley.

Up to the eastern tower, Whose height commands as subject all the vale. Shak.

One side commands a view of the finest garden. Addison.
To have power or influence of the nature of authority over; to obtain as if by ordering; to reeceive as a due; to challenge; to claim; as, justice commands the respect and affections of the people; the best goods command the best price.
'Tis not in mortals to command success. Addison.
To direct to come; to bestow. Obs.
I will command my blessing upon you. Lev. xxv. 21.
Syn. -- To bid; order; direct; dictate; charge; govern; rule; overlook.

To have or to exercise direct authority; to govern; to sway; to influence; to give an order or orders.
And reigned, commanding in his monarchy. Shak.

For the king had so commanded concerning [Haman]. Esth. iii. 2.
To have a view, as from a superior position.
Far and wide his eye commands. Milton.

An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an injunction.
A waiting what command their mighty chief Had to impose. Milton.
The possession or exercise of authority.
Command and force may often create, but can never cure, an aversion. Locke.
Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the forces under his command.
Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of position; scope of vision; survey.
Te steepy stand Which overlooks the vale with wide command. Dryden.
Control; power over something; sway; influence; as, to have command over one's temper or voice; the fort has command of the bridge.
He assumed an absolute command over his readers. Druden.
A body of troops, or any naval or military force or post, or the whole territory under the authority or control of a particular officer. Syn. -- Control; sway; power; authority; rule; dominion; sovereignty; mandate; order; injunction; charge; behest. See Direction.