instrumental

adjective

in·​stru·​men·​tal ˌin(t)-strə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce instrumental (audio)
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
instrumentally adverb

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
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.
Conclusion Federal investment in R&D has been instrumental in establishing and maintaining the United States’ technological and economic leadership. Natalie Madeira Cofield, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 Professional unpiloted aerial vehicles (UAVs) are already instrumental in conservation efforts and engineering projects, but even personal use drones do more than recording cool aerial shots of your vacation. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 May 2025 The filmmakers told me that Spiegelman’s free-speech run-in with the county school board was instrumental in persuading WNET to back Disaster Is My Muse. Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025 View of Olinda, Brazil, with Ruins of the Jesuit Church went on the block as part of the single-owner sale of Jordan and Thomas A. Saunders III’s impressive collection of Old Masters, which Wachter was instrumental in assembling. Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for instrumental

Word History

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of instrumental was in 1616

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Cite this Entry

“Instrumental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instrumental. Accessed 26 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

instrumental

adjective
in·​stru·​men·​tal ˌin(t)-strə-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce instrumental (audio)
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
instrumentally adverb

Medical Definition

instrumental

adjective
in·​stru·​men·​tal ˌin(t)-strə-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce instrumental (audio)
: operant
instrumental learning
instrumental conditioning

More from Merriam-Webster on instrumental

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