special order

¹

noun

, Military.

1. 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

[ spesh-uhl-awr-der ]

verb (used with object)

1. to obtain by specific individual order:

   to special-order a dining-room chandelier.

verb (used without object)

1. to order goods by a special order.

Word History and Origins

Origin of special order¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Gates issued the policy known as Special Order 40, which prohibited officers from initiating contact with anyone for the sole purpose of learning their immigration status.

From Los Angeles Times

"Where we get concerned is where we have special order merchandise for people's wedding days that could be locked up on a ship unable to get to us. That's a hard thing to explain to a potential bride," he said.

From BBC

"It'll get introduced on Tuesday, be in a committee on Wednesday and then on the special order calendar on Thursday," he said.

From BBC

In the summer last year, Lucio Olmos Morales, the artisan who weaves vanilla on his porch, received a special order.

From Los Angeles Times

The special order tells Tesla to describe differences in the software update that reduces or eliminates instances where Autopilot tells drivers to apply pressure on the steering wheel, “including the amount of time that Autopilot is allowed to operate without prompting torque, and any warnings or chimes that are presented to the driver.”

From Seattle Times