ten commandments: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Religious, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “ten commandments” mean?
The ten fundamental laws given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in the Bible (Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:4-21), forming the basis of moral and religious law in Judaism and Christianity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ten fundamental laws given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in the Bible (Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:4-21), forming the basis of moral and religious law in Judaism and Christianity.
Any set of fundamental rules, principles, or guidelines considered inviolable or essential for a particular field, organization, or activity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term is used identically in religious contexts. In figurative use, both varieties employ it similarly.
Connotations
Strong religious and moral connotations in both cultures. In secular figurative use, it can carry a slightly humorous or ironic tone when applied to mundane topics (e.g., 'the ten commandments of gardening').
Frequency
Equally frequent in religious discourse. Slightly more common in American public discourse due to higher visibility of religious references in public life and media.
Grammar
How to Use “ten commandments” in a Sentence
The Ten Commandments (stand as/represent) [a moral code].He/She/They broke/violated/kept/followed the Ten Commandments.The Ten Commandments of [noun phrase] (e.g., good leadership, safe driving).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ten commandments” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new policy effectively ten-commandments the core principles of the organisation. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- The manual ten-commandments the safety procedures. (rare, non-standard)
adjective
British English
- He has a rather Ten-Commandments approach to management—very strict and rule-based. (figurative)
American English
- The document had a Ten-Commandments feel, listing non-negotiable directives. (figurative)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used figuratively to describe core company values or ethical guidelines: 'Our CEO presented the ten commandments for client relations.'
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, history, and ethics to refer to the biblical texts and their historical/moral impact.
Everyday
Used in figurative, often humorous ways: 'My mum has ten commandments for using her kitchen.'
Technical
Rare. May appear in legal contexts regarding the display of religious symbols on public property.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ten commandments”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ten commandments”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ten commandments”
- Incorrect capitalisation in figurative use (e.g., 'the Ten commandments of cooking').
- Using singular 'commandment' when referring to the set (e.g., 'He broke a Ten Commandment').
- Misspelling as 'Ten Commands' or 'Ten Commandments'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they originate in the Hebrew Bible (the Torah) and are foundational to Judaism. Christianity adopted them, and they are also respected in Islam.
There is no difference in meaning. 'Decalogue' is a more formal, technical term derived from Greek (deka logoi, 'ten words'), used primarily in academic and theological contexts.
Yes, it is commonly used figuratively to mean a set of essential, non-negotiable rules for any activity (e.g., 'the ten commandments of blogging'). It is often lowercase in this use.
The core commandments are the same, but the reasoning and minor details provided for some commandments (like the Sabbath) differ. This is a subject of scholarly analysis, often explained by different textual traditions within the Bible.
The ten fundamental laws given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in the Bible (Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:4-21), forming the basis of moral and religious law in Judaism and Christianity.
Ten commandments is usually formal, religious, figurative in register.
Ten commandments: in British English it is pronounced /ˌten kəˈmɑːndmənts/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtɛn kəˈmændmənts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Written in stone (like the Ten Commandments)”
- “To break a commandment”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of two stone tablets (like two hands with five fingers each) holding ten unbreakable rules.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORALITY/LAW IS A PHYSICAL, INSCRIBED OBJECT (e.g., 'set in stone', 'tablets of the law'). PRINCIPLES ARE COMMANDS FROM A HIGHER AUTHORITY.
Practice
Quiz
In which book of the Bible are the Ten Commandments first recorded?