instance

1 of 2

noun

in·​stance ˈin(t)-stən(t)s 

1

: a step, stage, or situation viewed as part of a process or series of events

prefers, in this instance, to remain anonymous

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

2

: the institution and prosecution of a lawsuit : suit

3

a

: an individual illustrative of a category or brought forward in support or disproof of a generalization

b

archaic : exception

c

obsolete : token, sign

4

a

: instigation, request

am writing to you at the instance of my client

b

archaic : urgent or earnest solicitation

c

obsolete : an impelling cause or motive

instance

2 of 2

verb

instanced; instancing

transitive verb

1

: to illustrate or demonstrate by an instance

2

: to mention as a case or example : cite

Phrases

for instance \ fə-​ˈrin(t)-​stən(t)s , ˈfrin(t)-​ \

: as an instance or example

older people, like my grandmother, for instance

Synonyms

Noun

• case
• example
• exemplar
• exemplification
• illustration
• prototype
• representative
• sample
• specimen

Verb

• adduce
• cite
• mention
• quote

Choose the Right Synonym for instance

instance, case, illustration, example, sample, specimen mean something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category.

instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

a case of mistaken identity

illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

show us a sample of your work

specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

Examples of instance in a Sentence

Noun

an instance of great courage

These delays are just another instance of bureaucratic inefficiency.

In most instances the disease can be controlled by medication.

They have decided not to oppose the decision in this instance.

Verb

instanced one particular incident as an illustration of their penchant for practical jokes

instanced the latest astronomical research in her presentation on measuring star magnitude

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Many of the specific instances of abuse outlined in Fay's report were inflicted on Iraqi police officers who were thought to have been involved in smuggling a gun into the prison. —Matthew Barakat, Quartz, 17 Apr. 2024

The couple abused their 16-year-old daughter multiple times in December and January, including an instance when she was knocked unconscious with a broom, prosecutors said in a news release. —Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024

If a flower sample received by a lab exceeds the 0.3% limit, they are required to report it to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Griffin said, adding that these instances have increased in the past few years. —Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2024

In one instance, he was stirred awake by his attorney. —Graham Kates, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2024

Backgrounds look soft with few distractions in most instances, though a more characterful, busy look emerges for scenes with bright specular highlights. —PCMAG, 16 Apr. 2024

In one instance, Wallace witnessed a crash when a car cut over the divider in front of a semi, which hit it broadside. —Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024

In several instances, Citizens has not been able to reach and therefore get permission from absentee landlords. —Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Apr. 2024

In 2022, New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection received nearly fifty thousand complaints but imposed monetary penalties in only a hundred and twenty-three instances. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024

Verb

Topics under discussion included changes in the industry over the last decade, instanced by the rise of digital and gaming, audience fragmentation, and the emergence of disruptive technologies such as AI. —Liza Foreman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2023

But there’s been plenty of room for errors and hallucinations, instances when chatbots like ChatGPT have concocted inaccurate—and sometimes worrying—answers to questions. —Joseph Abrams, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2023

For, instance the home to the putting surface of the fifth and 13th holes is 100 yards deep and at least 50 yards wide. —Steve Dimeglio, USA TODAY, 9 July 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English instaunce, instance "insistence, urging, urgent entreaty, present time, case, example," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin instantia "fact of being present or impending, insistence, urgency" (Medieval Latin also "illustrative example, lawsuit, objection, exception"), noun derivative of instant-, instans "pressing, urgent" — more at instant entry 2

Verb

derivative of instance entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4b

Verb

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing instance

• counter-instance
• for instance
• in the first instance

Kids Definition

instance

1 of 2 noun

in·​stance ˈin(t)-stən(t)s 

1

: request entry 1 sense 1

entered the writing contest at the instance of her teacher

2

: example sense 3

an instance of rare courage

3

: a particular point or step in an action or process

in the first instance

instance

2 of 2 verb

instanced; instancing

: to mention as an example : cite

Legal Definition

instance

noun

in·​stance ˈin-stəns 

: the institution or prosecution of a lawsuit

a court of first instance

Etymology

Noun

French, from Late Latin instantia, from Latin, the fact of being present or impending, vehemence in speech, urgency, from instant-, instans insistent, pressing, from present participle of instare to be pressing, stand upon