instrument
a mechanical tool or implement, especially one used for delicate or precision work: surgical instruments.
a contrivance or apparatus for producing musical sounds: a stringed instrument.
a means by which something is effected or done; agency: an instrument of government.
a device for measuring the present value of a quantity under observation.
a mechanical or electronic measuring device, especially one used in navigation: landing a plane by instruments.
a formal legal document, as a draft or bond: negotiable instruments.
a person used by another merely as a means to some private end; tool or dupe.
to equip with instruments, as a machine or manufacturing process: to instrument a space vehicle.
to arrange a composition for musical instruments; orchestrate.
Origin of instrument
1Other words from instrument
- un·der·in·stru·ment, noun
Words Nearby instrument
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use instrument in a sentence
Law has been rebuilt in the last 50 years to be an instrument of control, not a framework for human responsibility.
And the chord structure, for those of you who play an instrument, is unexpected and worth checking out.
Even his signature instrument, Auto-Tune, has become as accepted an ingredient in hip-hop as the drum machine.
Future Makes Us Rethink Everything We Thought We Knew About Rap Artists | Luke Hopping | December 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTNo matter how admirable or inspiring his message appears to be, it often hits you over the head like a blunt instrument.
Catch Him If You Can: Reliving Banksy’s New York Invasion | Alex Suskind | November 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSisler is described as a “Medical/Surgical instrument technician” in his own court declaration.
Patients Screwed in Spine Surgery ‘Scam’ | The Center for Investigative Reporting | November 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
I called it a spinet, because it somewhat resembled that instrument, and was played upon in the same manner.
Gulliver's Travels | Jonathan SwiftA fancy came into my head that I would entertain the king and queen with an English tune upon this instrument.
Gulliver's Travels | Jonathan SwiftWhere these overtones are interfered with by any imperfection in the instrument the result is a harsh or imperfect sound.
Expressive Voice Culture | Jessie Eldridge SouthwickThe sun when he appeareth shewing forth at his rising, an admirable instrument, the work of the most High.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousThe von Fleischl has long been the standard instrument, but has lately fallen into some disfavor.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Todd
British Dictionary definitions for instrument
a mechanical implement or tool, esp one used for precision work: surgical instrument
music any of various contrivances or mechanisms that can be played to produce musical tones or sounds
an important factor or agency in something: her evidence was an instrument in his arrest
informal a person used by another to gain an end; dupe; tool
a measuring device, such as a pressure gauge or ammeter
a device or system for use in navigation or control, esp of aircraft
(as modifier): instrument landing
a formal legal document
Origin of instrument
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse