- 1 [countable] an order given to a person or an animal Begin when I give the command. You must obey the captain's commands. Wordfinderarmyarmy, artillery, battalion, command, defend, invade, officer, regiment, tactics, weapon Wordfindernavyadmiral, aircraft carrier, base, captain, command, fleet, navy, submarine, torpedo, warship Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivebasic, simple verb + commandcarry out, obey, disobey, … prepositionat somebody’s command phrasesyour wish is my command See full entry for computer
- 2 [countable] an instruction given to a computer What is the startup command for the program? Wordfindercommandcommand, connect, desktop, drag, enter, insert, refresh, scroll, select, toggle Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivespoken, verbal, voice, … verb + commandenter, type, use, … command + nounline, prompt See full entry See related entries: Computer programming control
- 3 [uncountable] control and authority over a situation or a group of people He has 1 200 men under his command. He has command of 1 200 men. The police arrived and took command of the situation. For the first time in years, she felt in command of her life. He looked relaxed and totally in command of himself. Who is in command here? There were many disagreements over the command of the peacekeeping forces. the chain of command see also second in command Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivecomplete, full, total, … verb + commandhave, assume, take, … command + nouncentre/center, chair, deck, … prepositionin command, in command of, under somebody’s command, … phrasesthe chain of command, the line of command See full entry in army
- 4Command [countable] a part of an army, air force, etc. that is organized and controlled separately; a group of officers who give orders Bomber Command See related entries: The navy knowledge
- 5[uncountable, singular] command (of something) your knowledge of something; your ability to do or use something, especially a language Applicants will be expected to have (a) good command of English. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveexcellent, fluent, good, … verb + commandhave, demonstrate, show, … prepositionat your command, command of See full entry Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French comander ‘to command’, from late Latin commandare, from com- (expressing intensive force) + mandare ‘commit, command’. Compare with commend.Extra examples He had command of 3 000 soldiers. He issued the command to retreat. He was in complete command of the situation. I am at your command. NATO’s integrated military command She has an excellent command of French. She has lost command of her senses. She is second in command. She was in sole command of one million pounds. The division was under the command of General George. The vast knowledge he has at his command will be invaluable in the job. The vast knowledge of the country he has at his command will be invaluable in the job. an army officer barking commands at his men his command over resources the military high command under the direct command of Lieutenant Sykes Decisions that are beyond the competence of junior managers should be referred up the chain of command. She has been teaching her dog simple commands. Who’s in command here? You must obey the captain’s commands.Idioms
order
if you have a skill or an amount of something at your command, you are able to use it well and completely With all the words at my command, I could not express how I felt.
(formal) to be ready to obey somebody I'm at your command—what would you like me to do?
(humorous) used to say that you are ready to do whatever somebody asks you to do
Check pronunciation: command
