verb (used with object)
- to furnish with knowledge, especially by a systematic method; teach; train; educate.
- to furnish with orders or directions; direct; order; command: The doctor instructed me to diet.
- to furnish with information; inform; apprise.
- Law. (of a judge) to guide (a jury) by outlining the legal principles involved in the case under consideration.
verb (tr)
- to direct to do something; order
- to teach (someone) how to do (something)
- to furnish with information; apprise
- law, mainly British
- (esp of a client to his solicitor or a solicitor to a barrister) to give relevant facts or information to
- to authorize (a barrister or solicitor) to conduct a case on a person’s behalfto instruct counsel
early 15c., from Latin instructus, past participle of instruere “arrange, inform, teach,” literally “to build, erect,” from in- “on” (see in- (2)) + struere “to pile, build” (see structure (n.)). Related: Instructed; instructing.