# ORDER BY

A clause that sorts a query result by one or more expressions.

## What is **ORDER BY** in a relational database?

**ORDER BY** — A clause that sorts a query result by one or more expressions.

```sql
SELECT order_id, ordered_on
FROM purchase_order
ORDER BY ordered_on DESC;
```

Level: Novice · [More Database terms at this level](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/subjects/database/novice)

Updated: September 27, 2026

Source: https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/order-by