instrumentation

noun

in·stru·men·ta·tion | \ ˌin(t)-strə-mən-ˈtā-shən

, -ˌmen-\

Definition of instrumentation

1 : the arrangement or composition of music for instruments especially for a band or orchestra

2 : the use or application of instruments (as for observation, measurement, or control)

3 : instruments for a particular purpose also : a selection or arrangement of instruments

Examples of instrumentation in a Sentence

There was a problem with the airplane's instrumentation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Jay Gordon sings like a more tuneful Jonathan Davis, while the album’s instrumentation is more sophisticated than its title suggests. — Richard S. He, Billboard, "August 18, 1998: Korn, Kid Rock, Orgy & The Biggest Day in Nu-Metal History," 30 May 2018 This band has a rare instrumentation — tenor saxophone, tuba, two drummers — and a relentless, jouncing sound anchored in rhythms of the Caribbean. — Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, "With Sons of Kemet, Shabaka Hutchings Brings London Jazz Into the Spotlight," 28 Mar. 2018 In both works, the instrumentation is open to interpretation by the performers. — Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader, "Chicago experimental ensemble Aperiodic will illustrate key threads in a new book by new-music scholar Jennie Gottschalk," 23 Feb. 2018 Cohan often plays excerpts of these and other original compositions, scaled down to the instrumentation at hand, which this time will be a sterling quartet featuring saxophonist John Wojciechowski, bassist James Cammack and drummer George Fludas. — Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, "From Bernstein to Broadway to Latin jazz," 12 July 2018 That's the third earthquake of the year detected in Alabama after 18 small quakes were picked up by instrumentation in 2017. — Bob Gathany, AL.com, "Paddle the Canal - urban kayaking in Big Spring Park," 21 Apr. 2018 The music tested the technique of even an expert percussionist, containing difficult-to-negotiate vibraphone runs, a lengthy solo for chimes, and stretches whose instrumentation was left to the performer’s imagination. — David Weininger, BostonGlobe.com, "Category-defying music, left-wing stance in composer’s provocative piece," 6 June 2018 Jablonsky's score for Skyscraper features electric and acoustic guitars in addition to the orchestral instrumentation. — Byron Burton, The Hollywood Reporter, "Why 'Skyscraper' Composer Didn't Want a Marvel-Style Score," 12 July 2018 Many bands mash up styles of music, types of instrumentation, or time signatures. — Jamie Ludwig, Chicago Reader, "Hank Pearl of Black Pearl Photo on masked Swedish synth masters Priest," 2 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'instrumentation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.