to order Definition

order
noun

1. A state in which everything is in its proper place; tidiness.
2. An arrangement of objects according to importance, value or position, etc.

Thesaurus: series, structure, succession, sequence, placement, symmetry, arrangement, array, classification, permutation, grouping, composition, pattern, layout.
3. A command, instruction or direction.

Thesaurus: command, mandate, law, injunction, decree, directive, ordinance, rule.
4. A state of peace and harmony in society, characterized by the absence of crime and the general obeying of laws.

Thesaurus: peace, quiet, calm, tranquility, serenity.
5. The condition of being able to function properly.

Example: in working order
6. A social class or rank making up a distinct social group.

Example: the lower orders
7. A kind or sort.

Example: of the highest order
8. An instruction to a manufacturer, supplier or waiter, etc to provide something.
9. The goods or food, etc supplied.
10. An established system of society.

Example: a new world order
11. biol.
In taxonomy: any of the groups, eg Carnivora (the carnivores), into which a class (sense 9) is divided and which is in turn subdivided into one or more families (see family sense 7).
12. commerce.
A written instruction to pay money.
13. The usual procedure followed at especially official meetings and during debates.

Example: a point of order
14. A religious community living according to a particular rule and bound by vows. Also called religious order.

Thesaurus: brotherhood, society, sect.
Form: Order
15. Any of the different grades of the Christian ministry.
16. holy orders.

Form: orders
17. The specified form of a religious service.

Example: order of marriage
18. A group of people to which new members are admitted as a mark of honour or reward for services to the sovereign or country.

Example: Order of the British Empire
Form: Order
19. Any of the five classical styles of architecture (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan and Composite) characterized by the way a column and entablature are moulded and decorated.

verb ordered, ordering

1. To give a command to someone.

Thesaurus: command, decree, direct, require, instruct, require.
2. To command someone to go to a specified place.

Example: order the regiment to Germany
3. To instruct a manufacturer, supplier or waiter, etc to supply or provide something.

Example: ordered the fish
Thesaurus: buy, obtain, request, secure, reserve, book, charge.
4. To arrange or regulate.

Example: order one's affairs
Thesaurus: organize, arrange, methodize, classify, index, regulate, standardize, group, settle, fix; Antonym: confuse.
intr
5. To give a command, request or order, especially to a waiter for food.

Example: ready to order

exclamation

1. A call for quiet, calm or proper behaviour to be restored, especially during a debate.

Form: Order! Order!

Idiom: a tall order

colloq
A difficult or demanding job or task.

Idiom: call to order

To request calm or attention.

To declare a formal meeting open.

Idiom: in order

In accordance with the rules; properly arranged.

Suitable or appropriate.
Example: Her conduct just isn't in order

In the correct sequence.

Idiom: in the order of something

Approximately (the number specified).
Thesaurus: like, similar to, approximately, roughly.

Idiom: in order that

So that.

Idiom: in order to do something

So as to be able to do it.
Thesaurus: to, with a view to, with the intention of, with the purpose of, intending to.

Idiom: on order

Said of goods: having been ordered but not yet supplied.
Thesaurus: sent for, on the way, requested.

Idiom: out of order

Not correct, proper or suitable.

Idiom: to order

According to a customer's particular or personal requirements.

Idiom: under orders

Having been commanded or instructed (to do something).

Etymology: 13c: from French ordre, from Latin ordo.

Phrasal Verb: order someone about or around

To give them orders continually and officiously.

Phrasal Verb: order someone off

To order a player to leave the field because of bad or illegal behaviour.