Definition of instant
1 : an infinitesimal space of time; especially : a point in time separating two states at the instant of death
2 : the present or current month
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Examples of instant in a Sentence
For an instant, I forgot where I was.
The ride was over in an instant.
Recent Examples of instant from the Web
-
Years of Palmer Luckey's promises to hit a $350-400 price sticker with the first consumer model were undercut in an instant.
-
In an instant, Bezos could clone Blue Apron, so the fear goes.
-
This wasn’t a desire to dissolve ObamaCare in an instant.
-
James was fascinated; there was an instant chemistry between them.
-
In the same instant, Goolsby grabbed a rope dangling from the charging boat and swung himself up onto its deck.
-
Xometry’s software uses machine learning to generate instant...
-
LSU came into the game already familiar with Singer's hard-to-track movement on his fastball that can run sideways at the last instant from when the sophomore right-hander threw a complete game in an 8-1 win March 25 in Gainesville, Fla.
-
Instant racing machines resemble slot machines - electronic gaming devices that accommodate betting on horse races previously run.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'instant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of instant
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin instant-, instans, from instant-, instans, adjective, instant, from Latin
instant
Definition of instant
1 : importunate, urgent
2a : present, current previous felonies not related to the instant crimeb : of or occurring in the present month —abbreviation inst
4a (1) : premixed or precooked for easy final preparation instant pudding (2) : appearing in or as if in ready-to-use form instant poetryb : immediately soluble in water instant coffee
5 : produced or occurring with or as if with extreme rapidity and ease
instantness
nounExamples of instant in a Sentence
The movie was an instant hit.
He became an instant celebrity with the publication of his first novel.
We got an instant response from the company.
The Internet provides instant access to an enormous amount of information.
Is this coffee instant or regular?
Recent Examples of instant from the Web
-
The smaller, closet-sized room is filled with canned beans, canned fruit, instant oatmeal, peanut butter, granola bars and Cup Noodles.
-
Indeed, advancements in the last several years—including instant video uploads of the weekend’s games and evolving capabilities of computer tablets—have enabled coaches to prepare sooner and in more depth than ever before.
-
This could mean instant X-ray scans or skin abnormality diagnosis using pattern recognition software.
-
Round Lake resident George Gaulke won $2 million off an Illinois Lottery instant scratch-off ticket, officials said.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'instant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of instant
Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin instant-, instans, from present participle of instare to stand upon, urge, from in- + stare to stand — more at stand
INSTANT Defined for English Language Learners
instant
Definition of instant for English Language Learners
-
: becoming something very quickly
-
: happening or done without delay
-
of food : able to be made very quickly : partially prepared by the manufacturer so that final preparation is quick and easy
INSTANT Defined for Kids
Definition of instant for Students
1 : happening or done right away The play was an instant success.
2 : partially prepared by the manufacturer to make final preparation easy instant pudding
Law Dictionary
instant
Legal Definition of instant
: being under present consideration the questions presented in the instant case
Learn More about instant
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for instant Spanish Central: Translation of instant Nglish: Translation of instant for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of instant for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up instant? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!