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
Cloobeck was instrumental in getting the Las Vegas airport renamed after Reid in 2021.
—
Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
But where Portner seemed adrift in busy harmonies on that EP, Croz Boyce is a comparatively unhurried, almost entirely instrumental project.
—Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 12 May 2026
Entertainment will feature the Louis Pettinelli Jazz Group, a four-piece instrumental band.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Barbra Banda has been instrumental for the Pride again this season and has scored a league-leading eight goals in eight matches.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for instrumental
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.
Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
But where Portner seemed adrift in busy harmonies on that EP, Croz Boyce is a comparatively unhurried, almost entirely instrumental project.
—Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 12 May 2026
Entertainment will feature the Louis Pettinelli Jazz Group, a four-piece instrumental band.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Barbra Banda has been instrumental for the Pride again this season and has scored a league-leading eight goals in eight matches.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 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 19 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
