Command Meaning

UK /kəˈmɑːnd/
US /kəˈmænd/
Word Definition
command meaning

Command Definition & Usage

noun

An order or directive given by someone in authority.

Examples

  • "The general gave the command to advance."
  • "The CEO issued a command to the department heads."
  • "At the sound of the command, the soldiers began to march."
  • "The teacher’s command was clear: everyone must be silent."
  • "He followed the command without hesitation."
verb

To give an authoritative order or directive.

Examples

  • "The captain commanded the crew to prepare for departure."
  • "She commanded the team to finish the project by noon."
  • "He commanded the room with his powerful presence."
  • "The sergeant commanded the soldiers to form ranks."
  • "At the meeting, the manager commanded attention before speaking."
noun

The power or ability to control or direct something.

Examples

  • "She had full command of the situation."
  • "The pilot took command of the aircraft during the emergency."
  • "The software gives the user complete command over the system."
  • "His command of the language is impressive."
  • "The company’s command of the market made it a leader in the industry."
verb

To have control over or be in charge of something or someone.

Examples

  • "She commands the respect of her colleagues."
  • "The coach commands a great deal of influence over the team."
  • "He commands the attention of everyone in the room."
  • "The manager commands a large team of engineers."
  • "The general commands several battalions of soldiers."

Cultural Context

The word 'command' originates from the Latin word 'commandare,' meaning 'to entrust,' and it has evolved to refer to the act of giving an order or instruction. In modern usage, 'command' is used in various settings, including military, business, and personal authority dynamics. It emphasizes the exercise of control or leadership.

The General's Command

Story

The General's Command

The sun was beginning to set as General Carter paced back and forth in the command center, his mind racing with the details of the mission ahead. The troops were ready, their gear packed and their minds focused, but something was still off. The tension was palpable. Carter knew that his next words would be crucial. He stepped to the front of the room, facing the line of officers and soldiers, all waiting for his command. 'Advance,' he said, his voice steady and authoritative. The moment the word left his lips, the room sprang into action. Every soldier knew exactly what to do. There was no hesitation. The power of the command was absolute. Meanwhile, Captain Morgan, his second-in-command, was busy orchestrating the logistics of the deployment. She commanded the battlefield with the same precision she commanded her team: with clarity and control. As the soldiers moved out, Carter felt a sense of pride in the way his command had been executed. He wasn’t just in charge of the mission; he commanded respect, loyalty, and trust from his men. And that, more than anything, was what made him a great leader. But it wasn’t just on the battlefield that command mattered. Back in the war room, Carter’s ability to take control of the situation and make quick decisions would save lives. 'We’ve got it under control,' he said, not as a reassurance, but as a statement of fact. No one questioned him; they trusted his command. The evening wore on, and the operations continued as planned. In the silence that followed, Carter allowed himself a brief moment of reflection. The power to command wasn’t just about giving orders—it was about taking responsibility for those orders, and for those who followed them.

The General's Command