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

Manhattan School of Music MSM affords nearly 1,000 students the opportunity to pursue bachelor’s degrees in voice, instrumental performance, musical theater, jazz and composition in the heart of New York City’s exciting mix of artistic, cultural and performance hotspots. —Jeff Bond, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025

His exceptional ability to both create and scale hit shows has been instrumental in consistently delivering compelling programming that resonates with audiences worldwide. —Peter White, Deadline, 25 Nov. 2025

Plant also made two Grammy-winning albums and did several tours with bluegrass-queen Alison Krauss that featured ex-San Diego instrumental wiz Stuart Duncan. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2025

Another factor is the production tends to be more minimalist, focusing on the genre’s signature dembow rhythm, while Puerto Rican reggaetón usually carries more instrumental elements. —Rosamaria Garces, Billboard, 24 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