instantaneous

adjective

in·​stan·​ta·​neous ˌin(t)-stən-ˈtā-nē-əs How to pronounce instantaneous (audio)
-nyəs
1
: done, occurring, or acting without any perceptible duration of time
death was instantaneous
2
: done without any delay being purposely introduced
took instantaneous corrective action
3
: occurring or present at a particular instant
instantaneous velocity
instantaneity
ˌin-ˌstan-tə-ˈnē-ə-tē How to pronounce instantaneous (audio)
ˌin(t)-stən-tə-ˈnē-
noun
instantaneously adverb
instantaneousness noun

Examples of instantaneous in a Sentence

We got an almost instantaneous response from the company. the thunder following the flash of lightning was nearly instantaneous
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.
Neural coding will make that path instantaneous. Somdip Dey, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 The position, size and type of injury hinted at a small but fast-moving object; a larger object would have caused more serious damage, and death probably would have been instantaneous, the study authors reported. Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025 But, even in our current age of instantaneous information exchange, this dynamic remains highly recognizable. Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025 While greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere can linger for years, once air pollution is reduced the health benefits are nearly instantaneous. Simmone Shah, Time, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for instantaneous

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin instantāneus, from instant-, instans "moment, point of time," + Latin -āneus, suffix forming adjectives from temporal adverbs — more at instant entry 1

Note: Regarding the suffix -āneus see the etymology and note at spontaneous.

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of instantaneous was in 1651

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Instantaneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instantaneous. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

instantaneous

adjective
in·​stan·​ta·​neous ˌin(t)-stən-ˈtā-nē-əs How to pronounce instantaneous (audio)
-nyəs
1
: happening in an instant
2
: done without delay
instantaneously adverb
instantaneousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on instantaneous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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