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

instrumentally

ˌin(t)-strə-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē 

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

Dion said Miller and his movement were part of the conservative coalition and were instrumental in helping the Republicans achieve a supermajority in both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly. —Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 12 Nov. 2025

The species was named richardoweni in honor of Richard Owen, a scientist credited with naming the first fossil snakes discovered at Hordle Cliff and instrumental in founding the Natural History Museum. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2025

Her spoken word offers high-energy delivery and emotional depth that is sometimes performed a cappella and at times, over an instrumental beat. —Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2025

While the company doesn’t have stand-alone stores yet, Dames said the Aeyde Haus will be instrumental to make some tests, especially in assortment-building. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for instrumental

• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental
• fundamental
• governmental
• incidental
• incremental
• interdental
• monumental
• nonjudgmental

Kids 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

instrumentally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

Medical Definition

instrumental

adjective

in·​stru·​men·​tal ˌin(t)-strə-ˈment-ᵊl 

: operant

instrumental learning

instrumental conditioning