instruct
verb
in·struct
in-ˈstrəkt 
instructed; instructing; instructs
2
: to provide with authoritative information or advice
the judge instructed the jury
3
: to give an order or command to : direct
Synonyms
Examples of instruct in a Sentence
She instructed us that we were to remain in our seats.
The judge instructed the jury that they should disregard the testimony of the last witness.
She advised him to instruct a solicitor.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is forcefully instructing federal agencies and employees that NDAs do not supersede whistleblower rights.
—
Joe Davidson, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2024
Passover Matzo Throw Pillow $40 $34 Zazzle Start with your tablecloth: Seder can be a slightly messy affair (at one point, we’re instructed to dip our fingers into wine and remove several drops), so something dark or with a pattern is best and oilcloth is a good pick for a kid’s table.
—Devra Ferst, Bon Appétit, 11 Apr. 2024
Jordanian officials said the envoy would not return until the war is over and instructed Israel to not send back its ambassador until then.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Commissioners instructed the city’s human relations department to propose a candidate by April 19 so that the commission can select a new permanent city attorney at the April 25 meeting.
—Joey Flechas, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
After everyone went around the room introducing themselves, they were instructed to suit up in PPE — yellow safety vests, glasses, hard hats, toe caps and headsets.
—Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024
Other staffers instructed guests to be careful with tulips placed in the cupholder of each seat until they were asked to.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
Another announcement from the flight crew instructed us to all turn on our AirDrop functions on our phones in order to share photos with each other.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2024
The act did, though, instruct the agency to continue to weigh whether to ban menthol.
—Matthew Perrone, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024
Joe Davidson, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2024
Passover Matzo Throw Pillow $40 $34 Zazzle Start with your tablecloth: Seder can be a slightly messy affair (at one point, we’re instructed to dip our fingers into wine and remove several drops), so something dark or with a pattern is best and oilcloth is a good pick for a kid’s table.
—Devra Ferst, Bon Appétit, 11 Apr. 2024
Jordanian officials said the envoy would not return until the war is over and instructed Israel to not send back its ambassador until then.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Commissioners instructed the city’s human relations department to propose a candidate by April 19 so that the commission can select a new permanent city attorney at the April 25 meeting.
—Joey Flechas, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
After everyone went around the room introducing themselves, they were instructed to suit up in PPE — yellow safety vests, glasses, hard hats, toe caps and headsets.
—Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024
Other staffers instructed guests to be careful with tulips placed in the cupholder of each seat until they were asked to.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
Another announcement from the flight crew instructed us to all turn on our AirDrop functions on our phones in order to share photos with each other.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2024
The act did, though, instruct the agency to continue to weigh whether to ban menthol.
—Matthew Perrone, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'instruct.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near instruct
Cite this Entry
“Instruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instruct. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instruct
verb
in·struct
in-ˈstrəkt
Legal Definition
instruct
transitive verb
in·struct
: to provide (a jury) with explanation and directions regarding the law applicable to a case
the judge instructed the jury that the plaintiff bears the burden of proof
the jury was instructed to ignore the attorney's comments
: to give instructions to a jury
the trial judge refused to instruct on manslaughter—W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.
W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.Love words? Need even more definitions?
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