doctor's orders

noun

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see doctor, -'s, orders.

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Meanings

noundoctor's orders pl (plural only)
  1. pluralplural onlyUsed other than figuratively or idiomatically: see doctor, -'s, orders.
  2. UKpluralplural onlybingoThe number nine.

Origin

A laxative pill, "number 9", once issued in the British army

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

doctor's orders. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/doctor's%20orders

MLA

“doctor's orders.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/doctor's%20orders. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “doctor's orders,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/doctor's%20orders.

Source: doctor's orders on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.