commandment

142 6.7

An important rule given by a religious or moral leader

noun
/kəˈmændmənt/

: mandamiento

"Thou shalt not commit adultery" is the seventh commandment.
the Ten Commandments
God's commandments
violate a commandment

That is in the commandments, unless they're wrong, right?

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Examples

The court struck down the posting of the Ten Commandments in a public school.

Academic text (1993)
It is a commandment in the Torah.

Megyn Kelly
I would say there is no commandment from God that you have to respond to every e-mail you receive.
Knowing the origin of this commandment and the previous one is helpful here.

Academic text (1999)
What about the 11th Commandment?

Hell Riders (1984)
I think the most radical commandment in Christianity is love your enemy, because that is not that is not common sense.

Tom Bilyeu
Today's message deals with the Seventh Commandment.

Maybe I Do (2023)
In Exodus, God established the moral code of the Ten Commandments for his people.

Academic text (1998)
The values taught in the Bible include the commandment to love one another.
Many people strive to follow the commandment that emphasizes honesty and integrity.

Synonyms

order

vscommandment

∞ 3.0

An instruction from someone in power that must be followed

is tied to religious or moral authority rather than general authority

mitzvah

vscommandment

101 9.9

A religious command or good deed Jewish people should do

is a general important rule given by religious or moral authorities

edict

vscommandment

Formal

27 7.2

An official order from a person or government in power that people must follow

is a moral or religious rule rather than a legal proclamation

precept

vscommandment

Formal

22 7.5

A rule that guides how people behave or think

carries greater authority and obligation from religious or moral sources

dictate

vscommandment

13 5.7

A rule or principle you must follow

is given by religious or moral authority rather than being any rule

diktat

vscommandment

Literature

1 9.4

A strict order given by people in power without asking others

is an important rule from religious or moral authority not necessarily imposed without consent

decretum

vscommandment

Archaic

1 9.9

A formal official order given by a church or court

is an important rule from religious or moral authorities rather than that formal decision

ordainment

vscommandment

Archaic

1 9.9

An official rule made by a ruler or council

is an important rule from religious or moral authority rather than an archaic form

mandatum

vscommandment

Archaic

1 9.9

A formal order from an official used in law or religion

is an important moral or religious rule rather than a formal instruction

Antonyms

suggestion

602 1.4

An idea or plan offered for others to consider

Compounds

first commandment

5 6.8

The most important rule to follow in a group or activity

How Binding

commandment

142 6.7

principle

394 3.4

guideline

282 3.1

suggestion

602 1.4

opinion

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

commandment singular

commandments plural

Morphology

commandment = command (transparent) = command + ment

Standard noun formation from the verb 'command' with '-ment'; the meaning 'a command' is directly derived, though often used in a religious context.

Etymology

Commandment comes from command (a strong 'order') plus the ending -ment, which turns an action into a thing. It is linked to the old Latin word mandare, meaning 'to order', so a commandment is literally an important 'order' or rule, often given by a religious or moral leader.