Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

order

 - definition
 
 
 
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
noun British English pronunciation: order /ˈɔː(r)də(r)/ 
Word Forms
Close
singularorder
pluralorders
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [countable/uncountable] the way in which a set of things is arranged or done, so that it is clear which thing is first, second, third etc
    order of:

    You can change the order of the list by using the 'sort' command.

    in order (=in the correct order):

    Please try to keep the pictures in order.

    out of order (=in the wrong order):

    Some of the names on the list are out of order.

    in alphabetical/chronological/numerical order (=in order according to spelling, time, or number):

    The computer puts the list in alphabetical order by last name.

    in order of priority/importance/frequency etc:

    We will deal with these problems in order of priority.

    in reverse order (=in the opposite order to what is normal):

    Prizes will be given out in reverse order, starting with the team that finished third.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of order
  2. 2
    [countable] a request for a product to be made for you or delivered to you
    order for:

    A major order for six new ships will guarantee the company's future.

    place an order (=make a request):

    You may place your order by telephone or on the Internet.

    on order (=asked for but not yet supplied):

    The parts are still on order – we're expecting them any day.

    made/built to order (=specifically for a particular customer):

    Their computers are all made to order.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of order
    1. a.
      a request for food or drink in a restaurant or hotel
      take someone's order (=record what a customer wants):

      May I take your order, Sir?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of order
    2. b.
      food, drink, or a product that a customer has asked for

      The waitress got our orders mixed up.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of order
      See also  side order
  3. 3
    [countable] an instruction given by someone in a position of authority
    give an order:

    Try to persuade your employees – don't just give orders.

    take orders from someone (=obey someone):

    I don't have to take orders from you or anyone else!

    order to do something:

    Captain Turner gave the order to fire.

    obey/disobey orders:

    The colonel admitted that he had disobeyed orders.

    have orders/be under orders to do something (=to have been officially told to do something):

    The guards have orders to shoot anyone breaking into the compound.

    by order of someone (=according to someone's instructions):

    The documents were burned by order of the king.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of order
    1. a.
      a legal document that says what someone must or must not do

      an eviction order

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of order
  4. 4
    [uncountable] a situation in which people obey the law and follow the accepted rules of social behaviour
    social/public order:

    Violent protests in the street revealed a breakdown of social order.

    maintain/restore order:

    The new president's most urgent task will be to maintain order.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of order
    1. a.
      the fact of obeying the rules of a formal meeting, for example in a parliament
      call/bring a meeting to order (=make everyone start obeying the rules):

      The Chair called the meeting to order.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of order
  5. 5
    [uncountable] a situation in which everything is well organized or arranged

    I'm trying to bring a bit of order to the garden.

    in order:

    I want to get my accounts in order before I leave.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of order
    See also  house1
  6. 6
    [singular] the general situation at a particular time, especially the existing political, economic, or social system that is used at a particular time

    With the arrival of industrialization, the old social order was slowly breaking down.

    the established/existing order:

    Anti-capitalist protesters are seen as a threat to the existing order.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of order
  7. 7
    [singular] formal a particular type or quality

    We accept that peaceful protest should be allowed, but this is something of a very different order.

    Storms of this order are fortunately quite rare.

    of a high/the highest order (=of the best or worst type):

    The job calls for problem-solving skills of a high order.

    It was economic lunacy of the highest order.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of order

phrases

This is the British English definition of order. View American English definition of order.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for order.

 

caxirola

a percussion instrument used by football fans which makes a rattling sound when shaken

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

emancipation

the process of giving freedom and rights to someone

Open Dictionary

pierce the corporate veil

… the decision to treat the rights and duties of a company as being the same as the rights and duties of its shareholders

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog