instrumental
adjective
in·stru·men·tal
ˌin(t)-strə-ˈmen-tᵊl 
1
a
: serving as a crucial means, agent, or tool
was instrumental in organizing the strike
b
: of, relating to, or done with an instrument or tool
2
: relating to, composed for, or performed on a musical instrument
3
: of, relating to, or being a grammatical case or form expressing means or agency
4
: of or relating to instrumentalism
5
: operant sense 3
instrumental learning
instrumental conditioning
instrumental
noun
Did you know?
An instrument is a tool, something used to construct. It's often a tool for making music. A musical saw happens to be a carpenter's tool that can be played with a violin bow (though you probably wouldn't want to play a wrench or a pair of pliers). The musical meanings of instrumental, as in "It starts with an instrumental piece" or "a jazz instrumental", are common. But the meanings "helpful", "useful", and "essential", as in "He was instrumental in getting my book published", are just as common.
Examples of instrumental in a Sentence
They played instrumental music at the wedding.
an instrumental version of a song
Recent Examples on the Web
The Traitors felt instrumental in Phaedra’s rehabilitation on Bravo.
—
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 May 2026
Ruick was instrumental in making many of Williams’ earliest career connections.
—Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Lloyd is respected around the league and is valued as a networker with many European connections, which was instrumental in the Wolves’ drafting of French center Joan Beringer last summer.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
While Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first Black president and a global icon – having spent 27 years in jail for his role in the fight against apartheid – his wife Winnie, who was arguably just as instrumental in that fight, has been widely maligned.
—Kate Bartlett, NPR, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for instrumental
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Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 May 2026
Ruick was instrumental in making many of Williams’ earliest career connections.
—Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Lloyd is respected around the league and is valued as a networker with many European connections, which was instrumental in the Wolves’ drafting of French center Joan Beringer last summer.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
While Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first Black president and a global icon – having spent 27 years in jail for his role in the fight against apartheid – his wife Winnie, who was arguably just as instrumental in that fight, has been widely maligned.
—Kate Bartlett, NPR, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for instrumental
Cite this Entry
“Instrumental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instrumental. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instrumental
adjective
in·stru·men·tal
ˌin(t)-strə-ˈment-ᵊl
1
a
: acting as an instrument or means
was instrumental in organizing the club
b
: of, relating to, or done with an instrument
instrumental error
2
: relating to, composed for, or performed on a musical instrument
an unusual instrumental arrangement
Medical Definition
instrumental
adjective
in·stru·men·tal
ˌin(t)-strə-ˈment-ᵊl
: operant
instrumental learning
instrumental conditioning
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