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order

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An order is a position, rank or arrangement of people or things. (noun)

An example of order is people being served food according to when they arrived in a restaurant.
An example of order is the names of fruit being listed by where their first letter occurs in the alphabet.

Order is a state of peace or things being in the right place. (noun)

An example of order is the feeling in a child's room when all the toys are put away.

Order means to organize or arrange people or things or command or ask someone to do something. (verb)

An example of order is lining people up by their height.
An example of order is asking for menu items at a restaurant.

See order in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

social position; rank in the community
a state of peace and serenity; observance of the law; orderly conduct
the sequence or arrangement of things or events; series; succession
a fixed or definite plan; system; law of arrangement
a group or class of persons set off from others by some trait or quality
1. a group of persons constituting an association formed for some special purpose: the Order of Knights Templars
2. a community of monks, nuns, etc. following a rule: the Benedictine order
1. 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
2. the insignia of such a group
a state or condition in which everything is in its right place and functioning properly
condition or state in general: not in working order
a command, direction, or instruction, usually backed by authority
a distinctive group; class; kind; sort: sentiments of a high order
an established method or system, as of conduct or action in meetings, worship, court, etc.
1. a request or commission to make or supply something: an order for merchandise or services
2. the goods so made or supplied: to deliver a grocery order
3. ☆ a single portion of some food, as served in a restaurant: an order of cole slaw
Archit.
1. any of several classical styles of structure, determined chiefly by the type of column and entablature
2. a style of building
Biol. 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)
Finance
1. written instructions to pay money or surrender property
2. a formal demand for payment, as by the endorsement and presentment of a negotiable instrument by its specified payee
Gram. the arrangement or sequence of elements within a grammatical unit
Law a direction or command of a court, judge, public body, etc.
Math.
1. a whole number describing the degree or stage of complexity of an algebraic expression
2. an established sequence of numbers, letters, events, units, etc.
3. the number of elements in a given group
4. the number of rows or columns in a determinant or matrix
Theol.
1. any of the nine ranks or grades of angels
2. any rank or grade in the Christian clergy
3. the position of ordained minister, priest, etc.
4. ordination, as of a minister or priest
5. holy orders

transitive verb

to put or keep in order; organize; arrange
1. to instruct to do something; give an order to; command
2. to command (someone) to go to or from a specified place: to order him out of the house
to request or direct that (something) be supplied, done, carried out, etc.: to order merchandise, to order a hearing
Eccles., Archaic to ordain (a priest, etc.)

intransitive verb

to give a command
to request that something be supplied

Related Forms:

orderer noun

See order in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(ôrˈdər)

noun

A condition of logical or comprehensible arrangement among the separate elements of a group.
a. A condition of methodical or prescribed arrangement among component parts such that proper functioning or appearance is achieved: checked to see that the shipping department was in order.
b. Condition or state in general: The escalator is in good working order.
a. The established system of social organization: “Every revolution exaggerates the evils of the old order” (C. Wright Mills).
b. A condition in which freedom from disorder or disruption is maintained through respect for established authority: finally restored order in the rebellious provinces.
A sequence or arrangement of successive things: changed the order of the files.
The prescribed form or customary procedure: the order of worship.
An authoritative indication to be obeyed; a command or direction.
a. A command given by a superior military officer requiring obedience, as in the execution of a task.
b. orders Formal written instructions to report for military duty at a specified time and place.
a. A commission or instruction to buy, sell, or supply something.
b. That which is supplied, bought, or sold.
a. A request made by a customer at a restaurant for a portion of food.
b. The food requested.
Law A direction or command delivered by a court or other adjudicative body and entered into the record but not necessarily included in the final judgment or verdict.
Ecclesiastical
a. Any of several grades of the Christian ministry: the order of priesthood.
b. The rank of an ordained Christian minister or priest. Often used in the plural.
c. The sacrament or rite of ordination. Often used in the plural.
Any of the nine grades or choirs of angels.
A group of persons living under a religious rule: Order of Saint Benedict.
An organization of people united by a common fraternal bond or social aim.
a. A group of people upon whom a government or sovereign has formally conferred honor for unusual service or merit, entitling them to wear a special insignia: the Order of the Garter.
b. The insignia worn by such people.
A social class. Often used in the plural: the lower orders.
A class defined by the common attributes of its members; a kind.
Degree of quality or importance; rank: poetry of a high order.
Architecture
a. Any of several styles of classical architecture characterized by the type of column and entablature employed. Of the five generally accepted classical orders, the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders are Greek and the Tuscan and Composite orders are Roman.
b. A style of building: a cathedral of the Gothic order.
Biology A taxonomic category of organisms ranking above a family and below a class. See Table at taxonomy.
21. Mathematics
a. The sum of the exponents to which the variables in a term are raised; degree.
b. An indicated number of successive differentiations to be performed.
c. The number of elements in a finite group.
d. The number of rows or columns in a determinant or matrix.

verb or·dered, or·der·ing, or·ders

verb, transitive

To issue a command or instruction to.
To give a command or instruction for: The judge ordered a recount of the ballots.
To direct to proceed as specified: ordered them off the property.
To give an order for; request to be supplied with.
To put into a methodical, systematic arrangement. See Synonyms at arrange.
To predestine; ordain.

verb, intransitive

To give an order or orders; request that something be done or supplied.

Related Forms: