Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » instruct

instruct

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of instruct is to teach something or to tell someone how to do something.

(verb)

When you teach a class, this is an example of a time when you instruct the students.
When you tell someone the proper way to eat at a table, this is an example of a time when you instruct him in table manners.

See instruct in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to communicate knowledge to; teach; educate
to give facts or information to on a particular matter; inform or guide: the judge instructs the jury
to order or direct: to instruct a sentry to shoot

Origin: ME instructen < L instructus, pp. of instruere, to pile upon, put in order, erect < in-, in, upon + struere, to pile up, arrange, build: see strew

See instruct in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb in·struct·ed, in·struct·ing, in·structs

verb, transitive