instrument

American  

[in-struh-muhnt] / ˈɪn strə mənt /

noun

1. a mechanical tool or implement, especially one used for delicate or precision work.

   surgical instruments.

2. a contrivance or apparatus for producing musical sounds.

   a stringed instrument.

3. a means by which something is effected or done; agency.

   an instrument of government.

4. a device for measuring the present value of a quantity under observation.

5. a mechanical or electronic measuring device, especially one used in navigation.

   landing a plane by instruments.

6. a formal legal document, as a draft or bond.

   negotiable instruments.

7. a person used by another merely as a means to some private end; tool or dupe.

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verb (used with object)

1. to equip with instruments, as a machine or manufacturing process.

   to instrument a space vehicle.

2. to arrange a composition for musical instruments; orchestrate.

instrument British  

noun

1. a mechanical implement or tool, esp one used for precision work

   surgical instrument

2. music any of various contrivances or mechanisms that can be played to produce musical tones or sounds

3. an important factor or agency in something

   her evidence was an instrument in his arrest

4. informal a person used by another to gain an end; dupe; tool

5. a measuring device, such as a pressure gauge or ammeter

6. 1. a device or system for use in navigation or control, esp of aircraft

   2. ( as modifier )

      instrument landing

7. a formal legal document

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verb

1. another word for orchestrate

2. to equip with instruments

Usage

What are other ways to say instrument? An instrument is a mechanical contrivance, especially one used for delicate or precision work. When should you use this noun over tool, implement, or utensil? Learn more on Thesaurus.com. 

Other Word Forms

• underinstrument noun

Etymology

Origin of instrument

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin instrūmentum equipment, equivalent to instrū-, stem of instruere “to equip” ( instruct ) + -mentum -ment

Explanation

An instrument is usually a tool for making music, like a piano or a guitar, but it can also be used for almost any kind of tool or thing you use to get something done. A thermometer is an instrument for measuring temperature. A violin is an instrument used for making music. Recent economic woes were blamed on the abuse of certain financial instruments, which is just a fancy way of saying "deals." Your eye is a very sensitive light-collecting instrument, though you'll need a man-made instrument, like an X-ray telescope, if you want to see light outside of the visible spectrum.

Example Sentences

The heat, if present, is one-note — a blunt instrument rather than a chorus.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

The most affecting moment came not from any instrument, but from the crew.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Artemis 2 astronaut Victor Glover, who pilots the Orion spacecraft, said before liftoff this week that eyes were a "magical instrument."

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

In a post on Ambrosia’s Facebook account, the band described North as “the Hammond B3 King” after his preferred instrument and said his “sonic architecture defined a generation of progressive and soft rock.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

He’d been the first investor to diagnose the disorder in the American financial system in early 2003: the extension of credit by instrument.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

• apparatus
• appliance
• device
• equipment
• gadget
• gear
• gizmo
• machine
• machinery
• mechanism