instrument panel

American  

[in-struh-muhnt pan-l] / ˈɪn strə mənt ˌpæn l /

noun

1. Also called instrument board. a panel on which are mounted an array of dials, lights, and gauges that monitor the performance of a machine or device, as an airplane.

2. Automotive. dashboard.

---

instrument panel British  

noun

1. a panel on which instruments are mounted, as on a car See also dashboard

2. an array of instruments, gauges, etc, mounted to display the condition or performance of a machine or process

---

Etymology

Origin of instrument panel

First recorded in 1930–35

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

instrument panel

Paul Snyder, who is chair of the College for Creative Studies’ transportation design program, said a temporary driver kit would require a “unique or heavily modified instrument panel on the driver side,” Snyder said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

The first sign of it was on page 23 of the brochure for the 1989 Ford Thunderbird, which revealed a subtle feature on the car’s instrument panel: a white arrow.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 3, 2026

Tesla is recalling more than 2 million U.S. vehicles because some warning lights on the instrument panel are too small.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 2, 2024

Two wide screens join seamlessly to form the instrument panel and central display, which is operated via touchscreen or the iDrive control knob.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 8, 2023

My hands kept floating up in front of me, and I wished I had pockets or somewhere to put them to keep them out of the way of all the switches on the instrument panel.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• dashboard

---