in order

1. in order that . So that, to the end or purpose that, as in In order that Bob can meet my husband, we've come early . [Early 1700s]

2. See in short order .

3. in order to . For the purpose of, as a means to, as in We'll have to hire more help in order to finish on time . This usage always precedes a verb, such as finish in the example. [c. 1700]

4. In proper sequence or arrangement, as in The children lined up in order of size , or Are the letters all in order? [c. 1400]

5. Suitable, correct, appropriate, as in A few words on this subject are in order now . [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

The constitutional courts have rewritten what democracy, what voting, what liberty, what the presidency means in order to get us here.

From Slate

Other aspects include, once those leaders are given temporary powers to represent us—we hand over our sovereignty to them for a temporary period to represent us—they’re constrained by checks and balances, by the rule of law, and by the protection of individual rights in order to ensure that, at the end of the day, our granting to them of our sovereignty as “we, the people,” is temporary and we get to take it back at the end of their term in office.

From Slate

"Several changes were implemented immediately in order to further improve upon our health and safety systems and processes," said the firm.

From BBC

“Depravity does not adequately describe the callousness involved to kill a human being and then drive around in the victim’s own car with his body inside in order to carry out the rest of his plan,” O.C.

From Los Angeles Times

You should just go home and get your stuff in order,’” Wendy recalls.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accessible
• adaptable
• applicable
• convenient
• expendable
• functional
• practical
• profitable
• serviceable
• unused
• useful
• valid
• valuable