Instruction: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when giving detailed information on how to do something or how something should be done, often in a formal or technical context.

• Please read the instructions carefully before assembling the furniture
• The teacher gave clear instructions on how to complete the project

Used when providing information on how to get to a particular place or how to achieve something step-by-step.

• Can you give me directions to the nearest gas station? The recipe gave clear directions on how to bake the cake

Used when offering support and help to someone in making decisions or solving problems, often in a mentoring or counseling context.

• She looked to her mentor for guidance during her career transition
• The guidance counselor helped the students choose their college courses

Used when offering suggestions or recommendations to someone about what they should do, often based on personal opinion or experience.

• My doctor gave me some advice on how to maintain a healthy diet
• She always asks for her grandmother's advice when making big decisions

Used when giving authoritative commands that must be followed, often in a military, workplace, or formal context. This term can carry a negative connotation if it implies a lack of choice or autonomy.

• The officer gave orders to his troops to move out at dawn
• Employees must follow the manager's orders without question

Instruction is typically used to refer to a directive or order on how to accomplish a specific task. This word is often found in educational settings or workplaces.

• Please follow the teacher's instructions during the exam.
• The manager gave clear instructions on how to complete the project.

Directions are provided to guide someone on how to reach a destination or achieve an outcome step by step. This term is commonly used when navigating or assembling something.

• The GPS gave us directions to the nearest gas station.
• He followed the directions on the IKEA furniture assembly manual.

Guidelines are general rules or principles provided to inform behaviors or actions. They are typically broader and less detailed than instructions, giving an overall framework rather than step-by-step process.

• The company has set guidelines for acceptable use of internet resources.
• The health department issued guidelines on how to prevent the spread of the flu.

A manual is a comprehensive document that provides detailed information on how to operate, maintain, or repair something. This term is most often used in technical contexts like machinery or electronic devices.

• Refer to the car's manual for maintenance information.
• The new software comes with a manual to help users get started.

Recipe is specifically used in the context of cooking to refer to a set of instructions on how to prepare a particular dish. It lists ingredients and steps to make the food.

• I found an amazing recipe for chocolate cake.
• The recipe called for two cups of flour.

Used when giving directions or orders on how to do something. Generally used in everyday tasks, technical manuals, or educational settings.

• Please follow the instruction on the screen to complete the setup.
• The instruction manual explains how to assemble the furniture.

Typically used in the context of computers and software to refer to instructions given to a computer to perform specific tasks. Also used in the military or formal settings to refer to authoritative orders.

• Enter the commands to compile the program.
• The sergeant gave commands to his troops.

Refers to a set of rules or a system of words, letters, figures, or symbols used to represent others, especially for the purpose of secrecy or brevity. Commonly used in the context of computer programming.

• She spent the night writing code for the new software application.
• The code for the garage door is 1234.

In computing, refers to a set of instructions that a computer follows to perform a particular task. Can also mean an organized series of events or performances.

• The new antivirus program can protect your computer from threats.
• The television program starts at 8 PM.

Pertains to a written text for a play, movie, or broadcast. In computing, it refers to a simple program written in a programming language. Usually shorter and simpler than a full program.

• She memorized her lines from the script.
• The Python script automates data entry tasks.