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installment

1 of 2

noun (1)

in·​stall·​ment in-ˈstȯl-mənt How to pronounce installment (audio)
variants or less commonly instalment
1
: one of the parts into which a debt is divided when payment is made at intervals
2
a
: one of several parts (as of a publication) presented at intervals
b
: one part of a serial story
installment adjective

installment

2 of 2

noun (2)

variants or less commonly instalment

Examples of installment in a Sentence

Noun (1) attended the installment of the new university president
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.
Noun
Their dynamic is both touching and funny, with things definitely heading in a romantic direction in the inevitable next installment teased in the mid-credits scene. Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025 While Culkin and Columbus were only part of the first two films, a third and fourth installment, as well as a 2021 Disney+ reboot have followed, all with different casts. Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Nov. 2025 David Gordon Green, the director of that movie, withdrew from the next installment. Justin Kroll, Deadline, 24 Nov. 2025 This occurs as Elphaba's conflict with the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) and his supporters deepens in the film's second installment. Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for installment

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

alteration of earlier estallment payment by installment, from estall to arrange payments by installment, from Anglo-French estaler, from estal station, stall, division of a stage, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German stal place, stall

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1589, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of installment was in 1589

Cite this Entry

“Installment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/installment. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

installment

1 of 2 noun
in·​stall·​ment
variants also instalment

installment

2 of 2 noun
variants also instalment
1
: one of the parts into which a debt is divided when payments are made over a period of time
2
: one of several parts (as of a publication) presented over a period of time
installment adjective

Legal Definition

installment

noun
in·​stall·​ment
: one of the parts into which a debt is divided when payment is made at intervals
installment adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on installment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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