Word
commandment
Phoneticscom·mand·ment, stress on the second syllable
US/kəˈmændmənt/
UK/kəmˈɑːndmənt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. an important rule that you must follow, often coming from a god or a powerful leader. People sometimes use this word for their own strict personal rules.
n. a divine or authoritative rule of conduct, specifically one of the ten biblical laws. Often used metaphorically to describe a fundamental principle that must be obeyed.
Examples
“The first commandment is the most important one.”
“In this household, the first commandment is that everyone must take their shoes off at the door.”
Examples
simple
“The first commandment is the most important one.”
contextual
“In this household, the first commandment is that everyone must take their shoes off at the door.”
Usage
Often used in the plural when referring to a set of established rules.
Real-World Examples
“The nine bars of pressure requirement is the closest thing espresso has to a commandment.” Etymology
Inherited from Middle English comaundement, from Old French comandement, from comander. See command.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Idioms
01. 11th commandment
The word in film
Poster: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Ten Commandments · 1956 · Adventure
- Directed by:
- Cecil B. DeMille
- Starring:
- Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter
Cecil B. DeMille directs this biblical epic chronicling the life of Moses from Egyptian prince to deliverer of the Israelites. The title names the divine moral laws and solemn edicts inscribed on stone tablets at Mount Sinai, forming the foundational ethical code of Western civilization.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/commandment