special order

¹ American

noun

Military.

any one of a set of instructions from a headquarters affecting the activity or status of an individual or group of individuals.

special-order ² American

[spesh-uhl-awr-der] / ˈspɛʃ əlˈɔr dər /

verb (used with object)

to obtain by specific individual order.

to special-order a dining-room chandelier.

verb (used without object)

to order goods by a special order.

Etymology

Origin of special-order

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Her biggest concern: whether Tilit will be able to recover tariffs paid on a special order from China last year.

From The Wall Street Journal

Under U.S. immigration law, migrants judged to be in danger of persecution in their home countries would only be sent to a third country if an immigration court issues a special order to that effect.

From The Wall Street Journal

Here they are, in no special order.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, in early February, Justice Phil Berger Jr., Newby’s right-hand man and presumed heir on the court, circulated a draft of a special order agreeing to the rehearing, sources familiar with the matter said.

From Salon

A source close to the government confirmed to BBC Afghan that the internet is back by special order of the Taliban prime minister.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023