instruction

[in-struhk-shuh n] /ɪnˈstrʌk ʃən/
noun
1.
the act or practice of instructing or teaching; education.
2.
knowledge or information imparted.
3.
an item of such knowledge or information.
4.
Usually, instructions. orders or directions:
The instructions are on the back of the box.
5.
the act of furnishing with authoritative directions.
6.
Computers. a command given to a computer to carry out a particular operation.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English instruccio(u)n < Latin instructiōn- (stem of instructiō). See instruct, -ion
Related forms
instructional, adjective
misinstruction, noun
noninstructional, adjective
noninstructionally, adverb
overinstruction, noun
preinstruction, noun
reinstruction, noun
self-instruction, noun
Synonyms
1. tutoring, coaching; training, drill, exercise; indoctrination; schooling. 5. command, mandate.
Examples from the web for instructions
  • Feed monthly with a complete houseplant fertilizer, following label instructions.
  • Fertilize every other week with fish emulsion, or use a granular organic fertilizer according to instructions.
  • Beans and sunflowers were started from seed, following package instructions.
  • Sometimes a recipe, especially a historical one, is more than the sum of its instructions.
  • We ask that a set of instructions be drawn up for the citizens to direct their movements.
  • Following instructions from an emergency physician on the phone, they began cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
  • What happened is they failed to follow his instructions.
  • Musicians received brief instructions, rehearsed equally briefly, and then played for as long as felt right.
  • The kids were selected largely on the basis of their ability to carry out instructions.
  • We were urged to remain calm, to stay inside, to await further instructions.
British Dictionary definitions for instructions

instructions

/ɪnˈstrʌkʃənz/
plural noun
1.
directions, orders, or recommended rules for guidance, use, etc
2.
(law) the facts and details relating to a case given by a client to his solicitor or by a solicitor to a barrister with directions to conduct the case: to take instructions

instruction

/ɪnˈstrʌkʃən/
noun
1.
a direction; order
2.
the process or act of imparting knowledge; teaching; education
3.
(computing) a part of a program consisting of a coded command to the computer to perform a specified function
Derived Forms
instructional, adjective
Word Origin and History for instructions

instruction

n.

c.1400, instruccioun, "action or process of teaching," from Old French instruccion (14c.), from Latin instructionem (nominative instructio) "building, arrangement, teaching," from past participle stem of instruere "arrange, inform, teach," from in- "on" (see in- (2)) + struere "to pile, build" (see structure (n.)). Meaning "an authoritative direction telling someone what to do; a document giving such directions," is early 15c. Related: Instructions.

instructions in Science
instruction
  (ĭn-strŭk'shən)   
A sequence of bits that tells a computer's central processing unit to perform a particular operation. An instruction can also contain data to be used in the operation.