Definition of 'order'
1. phrase
2. phrase
If someone must be in a particular situation in order to achieve something they want, they cannot achieve that thing if they are not in that
situation.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense orders
, present participle ordering
, past tense, past participle ordered
2. verb
If someone in authority orders something, they give instructions that it should be done.
The radio said that the prime minister had ordered price controls to be introduced. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
The President ordered him moved because of fears that his comrades would try to free
him. [VERB noun -ed]
4. countable noun
5. verb
6. countable noun
An order is a request for something to be brought, made, or obtained for you in return for
money.
7. countable noun
Someone's order is what they have asked to be brought, made, or obtained for them in return for money.
8. See also holy orders, mail order, postal order, standing order
9.
See on order
10.
See to order
11.
See under orders
13. a tall order
Phrasal verbs:
See order around
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense orders
, present participle ordering
, past tense, past participle ordered
1. variable noun [oft a NOUN, oft in/into N]
If a set of things are arranged or done in a particular order, they are arranged or done so one thing follows another, often according to a particular
factor such as importance.
2. uncountable noun
Order is the situation that exists when everything is in the correct or expected place,
or happens at the correct or expected time.
3. uncountable noun
4. singular noun
5. verb
The way that something is ordered is the way that it is organized and structured.
6. countable noun [usu of supp N]
7. countable noun
8. countable noun
People who belong to a particular order have been given a particular honour or rank by the head of their country as a reward for their services or achievements.
9. convention
The person in charge of a meeting can say 'Order!' to tell people to stop making a noise.
10. See also ordered, law and order, pecking order, point of order
11.
See in order
12.
See in order
13.
14.
See in good order
15.
See in working order
16.
17.
See out of order
18.
See out of order
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
You may also like
Word Frequency
order in British English
noun
1.
a state in which all components or elements are arranged logically, comprehensibly,
or naturally
3.
an established or customary method or state, esp of society
6. biology
any of the taxonomic groups into which a class is divided and which contains one or
more families. Carnivora, Primates, and Rodentia are three orders of the class Mammalia
7.
an instruction that must be obeyed; command
8.
a decision or direction of a court or judge entered on the court record but not included
in the final judgment
9.
a.
a commission or instruction to produce or supply something in return for payment
b.
the commodity produced or supplied
c.
(as modifier)
order form
10.
a procedure followed by an assembly, meeting, etc
11. (capital when part of a name)
a body of people united in a particular aim or purpose
12. Also called: religious order (usually capital)
15.
a.
any of the five major classical styles of architecture classified by the style of columns and entablatures used
See also Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan, composite (sense 4)b.
any style of architecture
16. Christianity
a.
the sacrament by which bishops, priests, etc, have their offices conferred upon them
b.
any of the degrees into which the ministry is divided
c.
the office of an ordained Christian minister
17.
a form of Christian Church service prescribed to be used on specific occasions
19. mathematics
a.
the number of times a function must be differentiated to obtain a given derivative
b.
the order of the highest derivative in a differential equation
c.
the number of rows or columns in a determinant or square matrix
d.
the number of members of a finite group
20. short for order of magnitude
21. See the order
22. See a tall order
23. See in order
24. See in order to
25. See in order that
26. See keep order
27. See of the order of
28. See on order
29. See out of order
30. See to order
verb
31. (transitive)
to give a command to (a person or animal to do or be something)
33. (transitive)
to instruct or command to move, go, etc (to a specified place)
they ordered her into the house
36.
(of fate or the gods) to will; ordain
37. (transitive) rare
to ordain
exclamation
38.
an exclamation of protest against an infringement of established procedure
39.
an exclamation demanding that orderly behaviour be restored
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
orderer (ˈorderer) noun
orderless (ˈorderless)
adjective
Word origin
C13: from Old French ordre, from Latin ordōWord Frequency
order in American English
noun
1.
social position; rank in the community
2.
a state of peace and serenity; observance of the law; orderly conduct
3.
the sequence or arrangement of things or events; series; succession
4.
a fixed or definite plan; system; law of arrangement
5.
a group or class of persons set off from others by some trait or quality
6.
a.
a group of persons constituting an association formed for some special purpose
the Order of Knights Templars
b.
a community of monks, nuns, etc. following a rule
the Benedictine order
7.
a.
a group of persons distinguished by having received a certain award or citation, as for outstanding service to a state
the Order of the Garter
b.
the insignia of such a group
8.
a state or condition in which everything is in its right place and functioning properly
9.
condition or state in general
not in working order
10.
a command, direction, or instruction, usually backed by authority
12.
an established method or system, as of conduct or action in meetings, worship, court,
etc.
13.
a.
a request or commission to make or supply something
an order for merchandise or services
b.
the goods so made or supplied
to deliver a grocery order
c. US
a single portion of some food, as served in a restaurant
an order of cole slaw
14. Architecture
a.
any of several classical styles of structure, determined chiefly by the type of column
and entablature
see also Doric, Ionic, Corinthianb.
a style of building
15. Biology
a major category in the classification of animals, plants, etc., ranking above a family and below a class: it can include one family or many similar families:
the Latinized order names are capitalized but not italicized (Ex.: Fabales, legumes)
16. Finance
a.
written instructions to pay money or surrender property
b.
a formal demand for payment, as by the endorsement and presentment of a negotiable instrument by its specified payee
18. Law
a direction or command of a court, judge, public body, etc.
19. Ancient Mathematics
a.
a whole number describing the degree or stage of complexity of an algebraic expression
b.
an established sequence of numbers, letters, events, units, etc.
c.
the number of elements in a given group
d.
the number of rows or columns in a determinant or matrix
20. Theology
b.
any rank or grade in the Christian clergy
c. [usually pl.]
the position of ordained minister, priest, etc.
e.
verb transitive
21.
to put or keep in order; organize; arrange
22.
a.
to instruct to do something; give an order to; command
b.
to command (someone) to go to or from a specified place
to order him out of the house
23.
to request or direct that (something) be supplied, done, carried out, etc.
to order merchandise, to order a hearing
24. Ecclesiastical; Archaic
to ordain (a priest, etc.)
verb intransitive
25.
to give a command
26.
to request that something be supplied
SIMILAR WORDS: comˈmand
Idioms:
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
orderer (ˈorderer)
noun
Word Frequency
order in American English
(ˈɔrdər)
noun
1.
an authoritative direction or instruction; command; mandate
2.
a command of a court or judge
3.
4.
the disposition of things following one after another, as in space or time; succession
or sequence
The names were listed in alphabetical order
5.
a condition in which each thing is properly disposed with reference to other things
and to its purpose; methodical or harmonious arrangement
You must try to give order to your life
7.
proper, satisfactory, or working condition
8.
state or condition generally
His financial affairs were in good order
9.
conformity or obedience to law or established authority; absence of disturbance, riot, revolt, unruliness, etc
A police officer was there to maintain order
11.
the customary or prescribed mode of proceeding in debates or the like, or in the conduct of deliberative or legislative bodies, public meetings, etc
parliamentary rules of order
12.
prevailing course or arrangement of things; established system or regime
The old order is changing
13.
conformity to this
14.
a direction or commission to make, provide, or furnish something
The salesclerk will take your order
15.
a quantity of goods or items purchased or sold
The druggist is sending the order right over
16. Grammar
a.
the arrangement of the elements of a construction in a particular sequence, as the
placing of John before the verb and of George after it in John saw George
b.
the hierarchy of grammatical rules applying to a construction
c.
the rank of immediate constituents
18. Math
a.
degree, as in algebra
b.
the number of rows or columns of a square matrix or determinant
c.
the number of times a function has been differentiated to produce a given derivative
a second order derivative
d.
the order of the highest derivative appearing in a given differential equation: d2y/dx2 + 3y (dy/dx) − 6 = 0 is a differential equation of order two
e.
the number of elements of a given group
f.
g.
the least positive integer n such that permuting a given set n times under a given permutation results in the set in its original form
19.
any class, kind, or sort, as of persons or things, distinguished from others by nature
or character
talents of a high order
20. Biology
the usual major subdivision of a class or subclass in the classification of organisms, consisting of several families
21.
a rank, grade, or class of persons in a community
22.
a group or body of persons of the same profession, occupation, or pursuits
the clerical order
23.
a body or society of persons living by common consent under the same religious, moral, or social regulations
26.
a written direction to pay money or deliver goods, given by a person legally entitled to dispose of it
delivery order
exchange order
27. Architecture
a.
any arrangement of columns with an entablature
b.
any of five such arrangements typical of classical architecture, including the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders invented by the Greeks and adapted by the Romans, the Tuscan order, invented by the Romans, and the Composite order, first named during the Renaissance
c.
any of several concentric rings composing an arch, esp. when each projects beyond the one below
28. See orders
30.
a prescribed form of divine service or of administration of a rite or ceremony
31.
the service itself
32.
33.
a society or fraternity of knights, of combined military and monastic character, as,
in the Middle Ages, the Knights Templars
35. (cap) Brit
a.
a special honor or rank conferred by a sovereign upon a person for distinguished achievement
b.
the insignia worn by such persons
37. See a tall order
38. See call to order
39. See in order
40. See in order that
41. See in order to
42. See in short order
43. See on order
44. See on the order of
45. See out of order
46. See to order
transitive verb
47.
to give an order, direction, or command to
The infantry divisions were ordered to advance
48.
to direct or command to go or come as specified
to order a person out of one's house
49.
to prescribe
The doctor ordered rest for the patient
50.
to direct to be made, supplied, or furnished
to order a copy of a book
51.
to regulate, conduct, or manage
to order one's life for greater leisure
52.
to arrange methodically or suitably
to order chessmen for a game
53. Math
to arrange (the elements of a set) so that if one element precedes another, it cannot
be preceded by the other or by elements that the other precedes
54.
to ordain, as God or fate does
55.
to invest with clerical rank or authority
intransitive verb
SYNONYMS 1. ukase, ordinance, prescription, decree, injunction. 5. regularity. 21. degree. 23. fraternity, community. 47. instruct, bid, require, ordain. See direct. 51. run, operate, adjust, arrange, systematize.56.
to give an order or issue orders
I wish to order, but the waiter is busy
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
orderable adjective
orderer
noun
orderless
adjective
Word origin
[1175–1225; ME ordre (n.), ordren (v., deriv. of the n.) ‹ OF ordre (n.) ‹ L ordin- (s. of ordō) row, rank, regular arrangement]Word Frequency
order in Hospitality 1
(ɔrdər)
Word forms: (regular plural) orders
noun
(Hospitality (hotel): Food and drink, dining)
Someone's order is what they have asked to be brought or made for them.
COLLOCATIONS: take an ~place an ~
A waiter took their drink orders.
The waiter returned with her order and the customer signed the check.
I'll send someone to take your order right away.
Collins COBUILD Key Words for Hospitality. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency
order in Hospitality 2
(ɔrdər)
Word forms: (present) orders, (past) ordered, (perfect) ordered, (progressive) ordering
verb (transitive) (intransitive)
(Hospitality (hotel): Food and drink, dining)
order a drink, order room serviceWhen you order something, such as food, you ask for it to be brought to you or made for you.
They ordered coffee before they asked for the check.
I ordered chicken, but the waitress brought fish.
Can you order breakfast from room service?
Collins COBUILD Key Words for Hospitality. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency
order in Retail 1
(ɔrdər)
Word forms: (regular plural) orders
noun
(Retail: General)
on order, short order, special order, stock orderSomeone's order is a usually written request to purchase the goods or services listed.
There has been a rise in orders for spring season apparel.
The slump in the housing market held down orders for our kitchen cabinets and counters.
Someone's order is a usually written request to purchase the goods or services listed.
Collins COBUILD Key Words for Retail. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency
order in Retail 2
(ɔrdər)
Word forms: (regular plural) orders
noun
(Retail: Products)
If someone places an order for something, they ask that it be produced or supplied, in return for payment
One of the bigger chains has placed an order for 2000 units from the mill.
Within hours of you placing an order, the goods are dispatched from our warehouse.
If someone places an order for something, they ask that it be produced or supplied, in return for payment
Collins COBUILD Key Words for Retail. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency
order in Retail 3
(ɔrdər)
Word forms: (present) orders, (past) ordered, (perfect) ordered, (progressive) ordering
verb
(Retail: General)
When you order something that you are going to pay for, you ask for it to be brought or sent to
you.
They are depleting their stock on hand before ordering new inventory.
Stores order their merchandise for the critical Christmas season in the summer.
When you order something that you are going to pay for, you ask for it to be brought or sent to
you.
Collins COBUILD Key Words for Retail. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency
order in Accounting 1
(ɔrdər)
Word forms: (present) orders, (past) ordered, (perfect) ordered, (progressive) ordering
verb
(Accounting: Commerce)
When you order something that you are going to pay for, you ask for it to be brought or sent to
you.
They are depleting their stock on hand before ordering new inventory.
Stores order their merchandise for the critical Christmas season in the summer.
When you order something that you are going to pay for, you ask for it to be brought or sent to
you.
Collins COBUILD Key Words for Accounting. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency
order in Accounting 2
(ɔrdər)
Word forms: (regular plural) orders
noun
(Accounting: Commerce)
Someone's order is a usually written request to purchase the goods or services listed.
There has been a rise in orders for business plant and equipment.
Sagging demand for cars held down orders for transportation equipment.
Someone's order is a usually written request to purchase the goods or services listed.
Collins COBUILD Key Words for Accounting. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Examples of 'order' in a sentence
order
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Quotations
A place for everything, and everything in its place
There's a time and a place for everything
order
terms used in architectureQuick word challenge
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the external structure of a building, esp one that is unfinished or one that has been gutted by fire
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constructed with horizontal beams as opposed to arches
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decoration in many colours, esp in architecture or sculpture
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having a hip or hips
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order
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In other languages
order
British English: order
/ˈɔːdə/ NOUN
If someone gives you an order, they tell you to do something.
An officer shouted an order and the men obeyed.
- American English: order /ˈɔrdər/
- Arabic: أمْرٌ
- Brazilian Portuguese: ordem
- Chinese: 定单
- Croatian: naredba
- Czech: rozkaz
- Danish: ordre
- Dutch: bevel
- European Spanish: orden concierto
- Finnish: käsky
- French: ordre
- German: Befehl
- Greek: διαταγή
- Italian: ordine
- Japanese: 命令
- Korean: 명령
- Norwegian: ordre
- Polish: rozkaz
- European Portuguese: ordem
- Romanian: ordin
- Russian: приказ
- Latin American Spanish: orden
- Swedish: ordning
- Thai: คำสั่ง
- Turkish: emir
- Ukrainian: наказ
- Vietnamese: mệnh lệnh
British English: order
/ˈɔːdə/ VERB
If you order someone to do something, you tell them to do it.
She ordered him to leave.
- American English: order /ˈɔrdər/
- Arabic: يَأمُرُ
- Brazilian Portuguese: ordenar
- Chinese: 定购
- Croatian: narediti
- Czech: rozkázat
- Danish: beordre
- Dutch: bevelen
- European Spanish: ordenar mandar
- Finnish: määrätä
- French: commander
- German: befehlen
- Greek: διατάζω
- Italian: ordinare
- Japanese: 指図する
- Korean: 명령하다
- Norwegian: beordre
- Polish: rozkazać
- European Portuguese: ordenar
- Romanian: a ordona
- Russian: приказывать
- Latin American Spanish: ordenar mandar
- Swedish: beordra
- Thai: สั่ง
- Turkish: emir vermek
- Ukrainian: наказувати
- Vietnamese: ra lệnh
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