instrument

noun

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in·stru·ment | \ ˈin(t)-strə-mənt

Definition of instrument

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a device used to produce music also : a singing voice

2 : implement especially : one designed for precision work

3a : a measuring device for determining the present value of a quantity under observation

b : an electrical or mechanical device used in navigating an airplane especially : such a device used as the sole means of navigating

4a : a means whereby something is achieved, performed, or furthered

b : one used by another as a means or aid : dupe, tool

5 : a formal legal document (such as a deed, bond, or agreement)

instrument

verb

in·stru·ment | \ ˈin(t)-strə-ˌment

instrumented; instrumenting; instruments

Definition of instrument (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to address a legal instrument to

2 : to score for musical performance : orchestrate

3 : to equip with instruments especially for measuring and recording data

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about instrument

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Choose the Right Synonym for instrument

Noun

implement, tool, instrument, appliance, utensil mean a relatively simple device for performing work. implement may apply to anything necessary to perform a task. crude stone implements farm implements tool suggests an implement adapted to facilitate a definite kind or stage of work and suggests the need of skill more strongly than implement. a carpenter's tools instrument suggests a device capable of delicate or precise work. the dentist's instruments appliance refers to a tool or instrument utilizing a power source and suggests portability or temporary attachment. household appliances utensil applies to a device used in domestic work or some routine unskilled activity. kitchen utensils

Examples of instrument in a Sentence

Noun an instrument designed to measure the Earth's atmosphere The piano was his favorite musical instrument. Do you play any instruments?

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun An instrument bombards the particles with an infrared beam, exciting certain molecules in the sample, and analyzing the infrared signature reflected back at the detector. — Matt Simon, Wired, "The Arctic Ocean Is Teeming With Microfibers From Clothes," 12 Jan. 2021 The flash was spotted by the craft’s Lightning and Airglow Camera, an instrument that has been scanning the clouds of Venus for five years—only now picking up its first flash of light. — Robin George Andrews, Science, "Does lightning strike on Venus? Mysterious flash may help solve puzzle.," 28 Dec. 2020 Withers had never written a song and couldn’t play an instrument. — Reginald Dwayne Betts Kiese Makeba Laymon Carina Del Valle Schorske Dessa Irina Aleksander Sam Dolnick Mark Binelli Maggie Jones Rob Hoerburger Jamie Lauren Keiles Devin Gordon Jazmine Hughes Jenna Wortham Jade Chang Taffy Brodesser-akner Kaitlyn Greenidge Rowan Ricardo Phillips Michael Paterniti Wesley Morris Ismail Muhammad Anthony Giardina, New York Times, "Remembering some of the artists, innovators and thinkers we lost in the past year.," 23 Dec. 2020 His alluring score, recorded at his Echo Park studio, was the first to feature the ronroco guitar, an instrument that would become the signature of the Oscar-winning composer, as well as his use of silence and unconventional sounds. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, "‘Amores Perros’ at 20: Iñárritu’s symphony of desire still jolts," 19 Dec. 2020 The crackerjack opening concert commando attack features casts of thousands and more than one crushed string instrument. — Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, "Tight-lipped Christopher Nolan spills 'Tenet' bungee-jumping secrets, weighs in on the future of theaters," 15 Dec. 2020 One instrument, though, has had a difficult time breaking through the surface. — Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, "NASA's Mole Finally Burrows Its Way Into Mars," 4 June 2020 But Beethoven took full advantage of the wider frequency and amplitude ranges this new instrument provided. — Andrew Lennon, WSJ, "Beethoven’s Fifth, Ninth and 250th," 16 Dec. 2020 While many say a commodities market can help those in need of water, finance and water experts say the new financial instrument may provide only limited risk protection and could even put upward pressure on water prices. — Kurtis Alexander, SFChronicle.com, "Investors can now trade on and profit from California water — how might that work out?," 16 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Unlike earthquake prediction — which in terms of short-term prediction is currently not feasible and may never be feasible on a short timescale — volcano prediction is feasible and is common if volcanoes are instrumented. — NBC News, "Volcano expert explains the science behind Kilauea's ongoing eruption," 23 May 2018 Bullerengue is a genre led mainly by elderly women, instrumented exclusively with artisan drums, and preserved through oral tradition. — Marjua Estevez, Billboard, "How Afro-Colombian Artist Magín Díaz Went From Anonymity to Latin Grammy-Nominated at 95 Years Old," 7 Nov. 2017 But however well-instrumented, machines can't intuit. — Bucky Mcmahon, Popular Mechanics, "What's it like to fly a plane into a hurricane like Irma? We climbed into a NOAA plane in 2016 and flew into the heart of Hurricane Matthew to find out.," 8 Sep. 2017 The plan is for the NFL, when the technology is ready, to offer mouth guards instrumented with such sensors to players to measure their impact response. — Barry Wilner, The Christian Science Monitor, "NFL dedicates large portion of $100 million pledge to neuroscience," 29 Aug. 2017 The plan is for the NFL, when the technology is ready, to offer mouth guards instrumented with such sensors to players to measure their impact response. — USA TODAY, "NFL making $40 million available for medical research," 29 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'instrument.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

23 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Instrument.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instrument. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for instrument

instrument

noun

English Language Learners Definition of instrument

: a tool or device used for a particular purpose especially : a tool or device designed to do careful and exact work

: a device that measures something (such as temperature or distance)

: a device that is used to make music

See the full definition for instrument in the English Language Learners Dictionary

instrument

noun

in·stru·ment | \ ˈin-strə-mənt

Kids Definition of instrument

1 : a tool or device for doing a particular kind of work a dentist's instruments

2 : a device used to produce music

3 : a way of getting something done Curiosity is an instrument of discovery.

4 : a legal document (as a deed)

5 : a device that measures something (as altitude or temperature)

Choose the Right Synonym for instrument

instrument, tool, and utensil mean a device for doing work. instrument is used for a device that can be used to do complicated work. The surgeon's instruments were sterilized. tool is used for a device used for a particular job and often suggests that a special skill is needed to use it. A carpenter's tools include hammers and saws. utensil is used for a simple device used in jobs around the house. They bought kitchen utensils.

instrument

noun

in·stru·ment | \ ˈin(t)-strə-mənt

Medical Definition of instrument

: any implement, tool, or utensil (as for surgery)

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instrument

noun

in·stru·ment

Legal Definition of instrument

1 : a means or implement by which something is achieved, performed, or furthered an instrument of crime

2 : a document (as a deed, will, bond, note, certificate of deposit, insurance policy, warrant, or writ) evidencing rights or duties especially of one party to another under the law a person is not liable on an instrument unless the person signed the instrument — Uniform Commercial Code an indictment is a form of charging instrument specifically : negotiable instrument

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