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noun Uncommon

commandment

kuh-MAHND-muhnt

Commandment (noun) means a rule regarded as issued with divine or absolute authority, especially one of the biblical Ten Commandments. Example: “The fifth commandment instructs people to honor their parents.”

noun
1
A rule regarded as issued with divine or absolute authority, especially one of the biblical Ten Commandments.
"The fifth commandment instructs people to honor their parents."
"He treated punctuality as though it were a commandment."

How to use commandment

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA rule handed down with strong, often religious, authority.

Common pairings
the Ten Commandments break a commandment

Word forms

commandments plural, Commandments plural

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The fifth _____ instructs people to honor their parents.

Etymology

From Old French comandement, from comander ("to command").

Origin: Old French

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “commandment” mean?

The word “commandment” means a rule regarded as issued with divine or absolute authority, especially one of the biblical Ten Commandments. In plain terms, a rule handed down with strong, often religious, authority.

How do you pronounce “commandment”?

“Commandment” is pronounced kuh-MAHND-muhnt (/kəˈmændmənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “commandment” in a sentence?

Here is “commandment” used in a sentence: “The fifth commandment instructs people to honor their parents.”

What part of speech is “commandment”?

“Commandment” is a noun.

Where does the word “commandment” come from?

The word “commandment” comes from Old French. From Old French comandement, from comander ("to command").

Is “commandment” a common word?

“Commandment” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial