instrumentation

noun

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

-ˌmen-

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

Example Sentences

There was a problem with the airplane's instrumentation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Like a Tesla, the instrumentation is focused on a central screen and head-up display. —Austin Irwin, Car and Driver, 16 May 2023

The voices sounded cartoonishly boomy through the sound system and disproportionate with the orchestra, the volume drowning out the delicate instrumentation below. —Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 13 May 2023

While the Axton original plays more light-hearted with airy background vocals, Wall’s burly voice and the straightforward instrumentation take center stage, adding more drama to the tale. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 1 May 2023

Instead of useful instrumentation, we're given a vacuum gauge that wags its needle scoldingly with every tickle of the gas pedal. —Jean Lindamood, Car and Driver, 5 May 2023

This newest micro-supercapacitor in fact lives up to its prefix, says Abha Misra, a professor of instrumentation and applied physics at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru. —IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2023

Weinberger: Very carefully and taking advantage of new instrumentation that was developed here, was able to measure how fast stars in the outer parts of galaxies were rotating about their centers. —Tulika Bose, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2023

Major’s patience stands out here: the British singer-songwriter never presses too hard in any direction on the song, letting the full instrumentation and the slight quiver in his voice carry home his first new music since 2020. —Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 8 May 2023

The instrumentation is varies across both songs, and the melody and lyrics of both the songs bear no resemblance to each other, Sheeran’s lawyers say. —Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 24 Apr. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

instrumentation

noun

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

-ˌmen-

1

: the arrangement or composition of music for instruments

2

: instruments for a particular purpose

the instrumentation of an aircraft

Medical Definition

instrumentation

noun

in·​stru·​men·​ta·​tion ˌin(t)-strə-mən-ˈtā-shən, -ˌmen- 

: a use of or operation with instruments

especially : the use of one or more instruments in treating a patient (as in the passing of a cystoscope)