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

• example

Verb

• cite
• mention
• reference

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

To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page. —Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 31 Oct. 2025

In some instances, fog could create slick surfaces in freezing temperatures, particularly in areas where freeze warnings were also in place. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025

Verb

Along with her participation in the hotel nights, this also included, Jane testified, instances where she was asked to fly with drugs for Combs. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025

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

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
• 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