Order

/ˈɔːrdər/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A request for something to be made, supplied, or served.
I placed an order for two pizzas and a salad.
An arrangement or sequence of things.
Please put the books in alphabetical order on the shelf.
A command or directive.
The manager gave an order to the staff to increase production.
A state of peaceful or law-abiding existence.
The community has returned to order after the protests.
verb
To give a command or request something.
I will order a new computer for the office.
To arrange or organize something in a specific way.
She ordered the flowers by height for the arrangement.

Etymology

Middle English, from Old French 'orde', from Latin 'ordo', meaning arrangement or rank.

Common Phrases and Expressions

in order
In a systematic or proper arrangement.
order of business
The agenda or items to be discussed in a meeting.
set in order
To arrange or organize something.
order of magnitude
A class of size or scale, often used in comparisons.
give the order
To issue a command or directive.

Related Words

orderly
Characterized by neat and systematic arrangement.
disorder
A state of confusion or lack of order.
suborder
A taxonomic category below an order.
foreorder
To order or arrange something beforehand.
overorder
A category that encompasses multiple orders.

Slang Meanings

To order food or drinks in slang.
Let's order some pizza for the party.
To demand someone to do something.
He was ordered to clean his room.