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Entry 13 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Command

/kəm-ănd'/ · Com·mand · IPA /kəˈmænd/
01 v. t. To order with authority; to lay injunction upon; to direct; to bid; to charge.
imp. & p. p. Commanded; p. pr. & vb. n. Commanding
  1. 1.
    To order with authority; to lay injunction upon; to direct; to bid; to charge.
    “We are commanded to forgive our enemies, but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our friends.” — Bacon.
    “Go to your mistress: Say, I command her come to me.” — Shak.
  2. 2.
    To exercise direct authority over; to have control of; to have at one's disposal; to lead.
    “Monmouth commanded the English auxiliaries.” — Macaulay.
    “Such aid as I can spare you shall command.” — Shak.
  3. 3.
    To have within a sphere of control, influence, access, or vision; to dominate by position; to guard; to overlook.
    “Bridges commanded by a fortified house.” — Motley.
    “Up to the eastern tower, Whose height commands as subject all the vale.” — Shak.
    “One side commands a view of the finest garden.” — Addison.
  4. 4.
    To have power or influence of the nature of authority over; to obtain as if by ordering; to receive as a due; to challenge; to claim; as, justice commands the respect and affections of the people; the best goods command the best price.
    “'Tis not in mortals to command success.” — Addison.
  5. 5.
    To direct to come; to bestow.[Obs.]
    “I will command my blessing upon you.” — Lev. xxv. 21.
Syn. To bid; order; direct; dictate; charge; govern; rule; overlook.
02 v. i. To have or to exercise direct authority; to govern; to sway; to influence; to give an order or orders.
  1. 1.
    To have or to exercise direct authority; to govern; to sway; to influence; to give an order or orders.
    “And reigned, commanding in his monarchy.” — Shak.
    “For the king had so commanded concerning [Haman].” — Esth. iii. 2.
  2. 2.
    To have a view, as from a superior position.
    “Far and wide his eye commands.” — Milton.
03 n. An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an injunction.
  1. 1.
    An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an injunction.
    “Awaiting what command their mighty chief Had to impose.” — Milton.
  2. 2.
    The possession or exercise of authority.
    “Command and force may often create, but can never cure, an aversion.” — Locke.
  3. 3.
    Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the forces under his command.
  4. 4.
    Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of position; scope of vision; survey.
    “The steepy stand Which overlooks the vale with wide command.” — Dryden.
  5. 5.
    Control; power over something; sway; influence; as, to have command over one's temper or voice; the fort has command of the bridge.
    “He assumed an absolute command over his readers.” — Dryden.
  6. 6.
    A body of troops, or any naval or military force or post, or the whole territory under the authority or control of a particular officer.
Phrases & compounds
Word of command — a word or phrase of definite and established meaning, used in directing the movements of soldiers; as, aim; fire; shoulder arms, etc.
Syn. Control; sway; power; authority; rule; dominion; sovereignty; mandate; order; injunction; charge; behest. See Direction.