instance

[ in-stuhns ]

/ ˈɪn stəns /

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See synonyms for: instance / instances on Thesaurus.com

noun

a case or occurrence of anything: fresh instances of oppression.

an example put forth in proof or illustration: to cite a few instances.

Also called in·stanced dun·geon . (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.

Law. the institution and prosecution of a case.

Archaic. urgency in speech or action.

Obsolete. an impelling motive.

verb (used with object), in·stanced, in·stanc·ing.

to cite as an instance or example.

to exemplify by an instance.

(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), in·stanced, in·stanc·ing.

to cite an instance.

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to praise or celebrate

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to seize by or as if by authority; appropriate summarily

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Idioms about instance

at the instance of, at the urging or suggestion of: He applied for the assistantship at the instance of his professor.

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.

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

synonym study for instance

2. See case¹.

OTHER WORDS FROM instance

coun·ter·in·stance, nounun·in·stanced, adjective

Words nearby instance

installment buying, installment loan, installment plan, instalment, Instamatic, instance, instancy, instant, instantaneous, instant camera, instanter

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use instance in a sentence

For instance, if you search Facebook today for vaccines, Facebook will gladly point you to several large groups that tell you not to get one.
Facebook tries to clean up Groups with new policies|Sarah Perez|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch
According to Schwartz, there have been instances in which police officers on prescription medications like Xanax have been impaired on the job.
The policing reforms in the Breonna Taylor settlement, explained|Fabiola Cineas|September 17, 2020|Vox
It depends on what your definition of “worth it” is, but coach’s challenges have certainly resulted in more instances of overturned calls than have requests.
Don’t Blame The Refs For All Of These Replay Reviews|Jared Dubin|September 17, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum and Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, for instance, will serve as early voting locations.
Trump contradicts CDC director on vaccine; Biden says Americans shouldn’t trust Trump|Colby Itkowitz, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner|September 16, 2020|Washington Post

The first-round defeat against the Jazz in 2017, for instance, came after just a 2-1 edge.
When It Comes To Playoff Disappointment, The Clippers Are In A League Of Their Own|Chris Herring (chris.herring@fivethirtyeight.com)|September 16, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
They just reflect the range of breeds that were used to create the Heck cattle in the first instance.
‘Nazi Cows’ Tried to Kill British Farmer|Tom Sykes|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
For instance, Best Buy has over 40 million members in its customer loyalty program, Reward Zone.
Best Buy Punches Back at Amazon|William O’Connor|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For instance, how do you balance honesty with any protective urge?
Daphne Merkin on Lena Dunham, Book Criticism, and Self-Examination|Mindy Farabee|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
El Bulli, for instance, previously named the best restaurant in the world, shuttered its doors after only a few decades.
Inside The World’s 10 Oldest Restaurants|Justin Jones|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This happens, for instance, in one out of five vaccinations against rubella.
Uh Oh: Ebola Vaccine Trials Stop|Leigh Cowart|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For instance, the Limestone Polypody is not happy unless there is a certain amount of lime present in the soil.
How to Know the Ferns|S. Leonard Bastin
A delightful instance of this fell under my own observation, as I was walking on Hampstead Heath.
Children's Ways|James Sully
Because the universe is governed by laws, and there is no credible instance on record of those laws being suspended.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
Many of his bird neighbors,p. 31 for instance, liked the same things to eat that he did.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
For instance, few workmen will take a holiday; they prefer a "day's out" or "play."
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell

British Dictionary definitions for instance

instance

/ (ˈɪnstəns) /

noun

a case or particular example

for instance for or as an example

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

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

logic

an expression derived from another by instantiation
See substitution (def. 4b)

archaic motive or reason

verb (tr)

to cite as an example

Word Origin for instance

C14 (in the sense: case, example): from Medieval Latin instantia example, (in the sense: urgency) from Latin: a being close upon, presence, from instāns pressing upon, urgent; see instant

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with instance

instance

see under for example.

instance

Idioms about instance

Origin of instance

synonym study for instance

OTHER WORDS FROM instance

Words nearby instance

Words related to instance

How to use instance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for instance

Word Origin for instance

Other Idioms and Phrases with instance