in·struct (?n-str?kt?)v. in·struct·ed, in·struct·ing, in·structs v.tr.1. To give orders to; direct: instructed the children to hang up their coats.2. To provide with knowledge; to train or inform: instructed the students in algebra. See Synonyms at teach.v.intr. To serve as an instructor.[Middle English instructen, from Latin ?nstruere, ?nstr?ct-, to prepare, instruct : in-, on; see in-2 + struere, to build; see ster- in Indo-European roots.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.