standing order

noun

: an instruction or prescribed procedure in force permanently or until changed or canceled
especially : any of the rules for the guidance and government of parliamentary procedure which endure through successive sessions until vacated or repealed

Examples of standing order in a Sentence

She placed a standing order for fresh flowers every week. They were on standing orders never to leave the prisoner unattended.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The White House had to set up a standing order for 720 bags a month — around 306,070 beans. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026 This could be done by what is known as a standing order of the court, which are rules applicable to all litigants appearing before a particular judge. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 1 May 2026 The policy is a standing order issued by Ann Bailey Smith, chief judge of Jefferson Circuit Court. — Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Dec. 2025 Routine recommendations trigger automatic prompts in medical records and enable nurses to vaccinate under standing orders. — Jake Scott, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for standing order

Word History

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of standing order was in 1619

Rhymes for standing order

See All Rhymes for standing order

Browse Nearby Words

standing/open invitation
standing order
standing ovation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Standing order.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standing%20order. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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