dictate

口述、念给…记下

She dictated the letter to her assistant over the phone.

她在电话中口述信件内容，让助理记下。

决定、左右

The budget will dictate how many people we can hire.

预算将决定我们能聘用多少人。

规定、命令

Company policy dictates that all visitors must register.

公司规定所有访客都必须登记。

发号施令、指使常与 to 连用

I won't let anyone dictate to me how to raise my child.

我不会让任何人来指使我该怎么教养孩子。

准则、要求、命令常用复数，正式

He followed the dictates of his conscience and resigned.

他依照良心的准则辞去了职务。