instrument

noun in·stru·ment \ ˈin(t)-strə-mənt \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: instrument in a Sentence

Definition of instrument

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

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

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

3 : implement; especially : one designed for precision work

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

5 a : 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

See instrument defined for English-language learners

See instrument defined for kids

Examples of instrument in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of instrument from the Web

Students entering grades 4 through 8 are invited to participate in this joyful and educational week of singing, playing instruments, and listening to music with Fr.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The West Hartford Edition," 12 June 2018
As a kid, Dphrepaulezz grew up amid hustlers, pimps and drug dealers in Oakland, but pulled himself out by teaching himself how to play multiple instruments.

— greg kot, chicagotribune.com, "Fantastic Negrito refuses to let Grammy win distract him," 7 June 2018
This instrument images the Earth at a number of different wavelengths, including the visible portion of the spectrum as well as infrared wavelengths that help detect clouds and water vapor content.

— scott k. johnson, Ars Technica, "Newest NOAA weather satellite suffers critical malfunction," 23 May 2018
The potential damage to Seattle’s economy from this blunt instrument runs into the billions of dollars.

— travis h. brown, Fortune, "How Seattle’s New Tax to Fight Homelessness Could Ruin its Economy," 17 May 2018
Brun, who was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, grew up playing instruments.

— raisa bruner, Time, "Haitian DJ Michael Brun Is Bringing His Island's Sounds to the World," 11 May 2018
That these Asian girls not only sing, not only dance, but also play different instruments.

— NBC News, "For Sue Kim, one of the U.S.' first Korean musicians, K-Pop's success is 60 years in the making," 7 May 2018
Actually, all of the instruments here are powered by animals in some way.

— angela watercutter, WIRED, "Lambchild Superstar Is Social VR’s Rock Band—In the Best Possible Way," 3 May 2018
There was a break in filming during a restaurant scene in which someone gets thrown in a vat of soup while Indian musicians play on in the background, and one of the instruments caught George’s eye.

— morgan enos, Billboard, "HariSongs Label Debuts: 7 Great Moments When George Harrison Collided With Indian Music," 27 Apr. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of instrument

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin instrumentum, from instruere to arrange, instruct

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

instrument Synonyms

Synonyms

agency, agent, instrumentality, machinery, means, medium, ministry, organ, vehicle;

weapon;

activator, animator, catalyst, driver, energizer, executor, generator, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, instigator, launcher, mover, power, stimulus, trigger;

antecedent, cause, occasion, reason;

subagency, subagent;

Synonym Discussion of instrument

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

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

instrument

verb in·stru·ment \ ˈin(t)-strə-ˌment \

Definition of instrument

instrumented; instrumenting; instruments

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

Recent Examples of instrument from the Web

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

First Known Use of instrument

circa 1700

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

INSTRUMENT Defined for English Language Learners

instrument

noun

Definition of instrument for English Language Learners

: 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

INSTRUMENT Defined for Kids

instrument

noun in·stru·ment \ ˈin-strə-mənt \

Definition of instrument for Students

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)

Synonym Discussion of 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.

Medical Dictionary

instrument

noun in·stru·ment \ ˈin(t)-strə-mənt \

medical Definition of instrument

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

Law Dictionary

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