commandment

noun

com·​mand·​ment kə-ˈman(d)-mənt How to pronounce commandment (audio)
1
: the act or power of commanding
2
: something that is commanded
especially : one of the biblical Ten Commandments

Examples of commandment in a Sentence

the Ten Commandments in the Bible the boss left behind a list of commandments for running the office while he was away
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There is some irony that the lawmakers working on the bill with preliminary votes on both Saturday and Sunday, the Jewish Sabbath and the Christian Sabbath, violated the commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025 Democratic lawmakers unsuccessfully attempted Saturday to amend the bill to include other religious texts or multiple translations of the commandments, with all such amendments failing to be adopted. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025 The sponsor of the bill, state Rep. Candy Noble (R), said the Ten Commandments are foundational to the American educational and judicial systems, arguing the commandments were cited favorably in more than 500 court cases. The Hill, 25 May 2025 The sixth commandment in Catholic teaching prohibits adultery. Ruth Graham, New York Times, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for commandment

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of commandment was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Commandment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commandment. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

commandment

noun
com·​mand·​ment kə-ˈman(d)-mənt How to pronounce commandment (audio)
: something commanded
especially : one of the biblical Ten Commandments

More from Merriam-Webster on commandment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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