/ kəˈmɑːnd; NAmE kəˈmænd/ noun , verb
■ noun
ORDER
1.
[ C ] an order given to a person or an animal :
Begin when I give the command.
You must obey the captain's commands.
FOR COMPUTER
2.
[ C ] an instruction given to a computer
CONTROL
3.
[ U ] control and authority over a situation or a group of people :
He has 1 200 men under his command.
He has command of 1 200 men.
The police arrived and took command of the situation.
For the first time in years, she felt in command of her life.
He looked relaxed and totally in command of himself .
Who is in command here?
—see also second in command
IN ARMY
4.
Command [ C ] a part of an army, air force , etc. that is organized and controlled separately; a group of officers who give orders :
Bomber Command
KNOWLEDGE
5.
[ U , sing. ] command (of sth) your knowledge of sth; your ability to do or use sth, especially a language :
Applicants will be expected to have (a) good command of English.
•
IDIOMS
- at your command
- be at sb's command
—more at wish noun
■ verb
ORDER
1.
( of sb in a position of authority ) to tell sb to do sth
SYN order :
[ vn to inf ]
He commanded his men to retreat.
[ vn ]
She commanded the release of the prisoners.
: [ v that ] ( formal )
The commission intervened and commanded that work on the building cease.
( BrE also)
The commission commanded that work on the building should cease.
[also v speech , vn speech , v ]
IN ARMY
2.
to be in charge of a group of people in the army, navy, etc. :
[ vn ]
The troops were commanded by General Haig.
[also v ]
DESERVE AND GET
3.
[ vn ] [ no passive ] (not used in the progressive tenses) to deserve and get sth because of the special qualities you have :
to command sympathy / support
She was able to command the respect of the class.
The headlines commanded her attention.
As a top lawyer, he can expect to command a six-figure salary.
VIEW
4.
[ vn ] [ no passive ] (not used in the progressive tenses) ( formal ) to be in a position from where you can see or control sth :
The hotel commands a fine view of the valley.
CONTROL
5.
[ vn ] [ no passive ] (not used in the progressive tenses) ( formal ) to have control of sth; to have sth available for use :
The party was no longer able to command a majority in Parliament.
the power and finances commanded by the police
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French comander to command, from late Latin commandare , from com- (expressing intensive force) + mandare commit, command. Compare with commend .