in ‧ struct AC /ɪnˈstrʌkt/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ instruction , ↑ instructor ; adjective : ↑ instructive , ↑ instructional ; verb : ↑ instruct ; adverb : instructively]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of instruere , from struere 'to build' ]
1 . to officially tell someone what to do ⇨ order
instruct somebody to do something
His secretary was instructed to cancel all his engagements.
instruct (somebody) that
The judge immediately instructed that Beattie be released.
Eva went straight to the hotel, as instructed (=as she had been told) .
instruct somebody what to do
He had instructed the slaves what to say when questioned.
2 . formal to teach someone something, or show them how to do something
instruct somebody in something
Greater effort is needed to instruct children in road safety.
instruct somebody how to do something
Employees are instructed how to make a complaint.
3 . [usually passive] British English formal to officially tell someone about something
instruct somebody that
I was instructed that £20,000 had been paid into my account.
4 . British English law to employ a lawyer to represent you in court