instance

American  

[in-stuhns] / ˈɪn stəns /

noun

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)

instanced, instancing

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)

instanced, instancing

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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Related Words

See case ¹.

Other Word Forms

• counterinstance noun
• uninstanced adjective

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”); instant, -ance

Example Sentences

Take for instance the San Bernardino Santa Fe smokestack, a towering 189-foot-tall structure from the 1920s that fueled the nearby railway power plant until 1994.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Just recently, for instance, the Seattle Mariners signed 20-year-old infielder Colt Emerson for eight years and $95 million even though he had yet to play in the big leagues.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Jessica, for instance, did ask ChatGPT what to do about her direct report—and it suggested she send them to journalism school.

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026

For instance, Paul Meeks, managing director at Freedom Capital Markets, told MarketWatch that he will be looking to see if the deal will be financed at an “investment-grade worthy” cost of debt of under 6%.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

“For instance, did you know there are people in this store—in all department stores, actually—who walk around looking like ordinary customers but are really security police making sure no one is stealing?”

From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper

Related Words

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