instance

American  

[in-stuhns] / ˈɪn stəns /

noun

instances plural

1. a case or occurrence of anything.

   fresh instances of oppression.

2. an example put forth in proof or illustration.

   to cite a few instances.

3. Also called instanced dungeon.  (in an online multiplayer video game) a zone, as a dungeon, to which access is limited to a player or group of players entering simultaneously and working together: each instance is one copy of the zone in which the quests, enemies, items, events, etc., are staged exclusively for the player or group accessing it, without interference from other player characters in the larger online population of the game server.

4. Law. the institution and prosecution of a case.

5. Archaic. urgency in speech or action.

6. Obsolete. an impelling motive.

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verb (used with object)

instances, present (3rd person singular) instanced, past participle, past instancing present participle

1. to cite as an instance or example.

2. to exemplify by an instance.

3. (in an online multiplayer video game) to design (a zone) as a set of identical copies, staged exclusively for the player or group accessing it, without interference from the larger population of the game server, thereby presenting key narrative elements or achievements in a controlled environment.

   The game developers instanced a winter wonderland with special quests for the holiday event.

verb (used without object)

instances, present (3rd person singular) instanced, past participle, past instancing present participle

1. to cite an instance.

idioms

1. at the instance of, at the urging or suggestion of.

   He applied for the assistantship at the instance of his professor.

2. for instance, as an example; for example.

   If you were to go to Italy, for instance, you would get a different perspective on our culture.

instance British  

/ ˈɪnstəns /

noun

1. a case or particular example

2. for or as an example

3. a specified stage in proceedings; step (in the phrases in the first, second, etc, instance )

4. urgent request or demand (esp in the phrase at the instance of )

5. logic

   1. an expression derived from another by instantiation

   2. See substitution

6. archaic motive or reason

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verb

1. to cite as an example

instance More Idioms  

1. see under for example.

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Synonym Usage

See case ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• counterinstance
  noun
• uninstanced
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• instances
  plural

Participles

• instancing
  present
• instanced
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• instance
  simple
• instances
  simple
• have instanced
  perfect
• has instanced
  perfect
• am instancing
  progressive
• are instancing
  progressive
• is instancing
  progressive
• have been instancing
  perfect progressive
• has been instancing
  perfect progressive

Past

• instanced
  simple
• had instanced
  perfect
• was instancing
  progressive
• were instancing
  progressive
• had been instancing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will instance
  simple
• will have instanced
  perfect
• will be instancing
  progressive
• will have been instancing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of instance

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English instaunce, from Middle French instance, from Medieval Latin īnstantia “case, example” ( Latin “presence, immediate applicability; earnestness, urgency”); see origin at instant, -ance

Explanation

An instance is a specific example or case of something. One instance of being chased by a growling dog can make a person spend his whole life being afraid of animals. It's common to find instance used in the expression "for instance," meaning "for example." Bright colors — for instance, pink, green, and blue — can cheer you up when you're feeling sad. Instance can also mean "occurrence." Several instances of cheating might be reported after a math test, for example. In the sixteenth century, the Medieval Latin word instantia meant "example to the contrary," leading to an early definition of instance as "single objection."

Example Sentences

Battery life, for instance, fell well short of expectations.

From Slate • Jun. 20, 2026

Grant’s, for instance, taught him to regularly challenge his assumptions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026

Clearer guidance is also being introduced about when the drugs should be stopped, for instance, if there are concerns around bone density, impact on brain function or vaginal bleeding.

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2026

So I shifted gears, pivoting into what is called “strengths-based” pedagogy — in this instance, meaning a discussion of how enslaved people contributed to American environmentalism as we know it today.

From Salon • Jun. 19, 2026

In this instance, her hacking was more mischievous than malicious.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Related Words

• detail
• example
• item
• occasion
• occurrence
• particular
• precedent
• proof
• reason