first commandment: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal / Religious / Figurative
Quick answer
What does “first commandment” mean?
The primary, most fundamental rule or law, especially one of divine origin.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The primary, most fundamental rule or law, especially one of divine origin.
A principle or rule considered of supreme importance in any system or field (e.g., business, medicine).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or definition differences. Frequency of literal religious reference might be slightly higher in American public discourse.
Connotations
Both share strong religious and metaphorical connotations. The figurative use is equally common in both varieties.
Frequency
Low-medium frequency, almost always in specialized religious, literary, or metaphorical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “first commandment” in a Sentence
The [first commandment] of [domain] is to...[Someone] considers [principle] the [first commandment].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “first commandment” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was accused of first-commandment-breaking heresy.
American English
- You don't first-commandment your way into ethical decisions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The first commandment of customer service is to listen."
Academic
In theological discourse, the Decalogue's First Commandment establishes the covenant's foundation.
Everyday
Used humorously or emphatically: "My dad's first commandment was 'be home by midnight.'"
Technical
Seldom used in purely technical fields like engineering or computing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “first commandment”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “first commandment”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “first commandment”
- Confusing with 'the first order' (military/Star Wars). Using lowercase for the specific Biblical term. Overusing in informal contexts where 'number one rule' is more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the Abrahamic traditions (Exodus 20:3), it is 'You shall have no other gods before me.'
Yes, it is commonly used figuratively to denote the most important rule in any field or system, e.g., 'the first commandment of public speaking is to know your audience.'
Capitalize when referring specifically to the Biblical commandment ('First Commandment'). Do not capitalize in general metaphorical use ('the first commandment of blogging').
It's a recognizable and potent idiom, but its use is more formal or literary than everyday phrases like 'rule number one.'
The primary, most fundamental rule or law, especially one of divine origin.
First commandment is usually formal / religious / figurative in register.
First commandment: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɜːst kəˈmɑːndmənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɜrst kəˈmændmənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The first commandment of X is...”
- “It's the first commandment around here.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FIRST in importance, like the FIRST rule given.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORALITY / PRINCIPLES ARE DIVINE LAWS. IMPORTANCE IS HIERARCHY (first = most important).
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical sense, 'the first commandment' most closely means: