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

Example Sentences

Critics argued the changes undermined the organization’s journalistic mission and weakened a key instrument of U.S. global media influence.

From Salon

Scientists also used TRIPLEX, an instrument designed to measure extremely short lifetimes that last only trillionths of a second.

From Science Daily

The system searches for authors who incorrectly identify the instruments used in their experiments.

From Science Daily

"We can't do that for our ocean. We have to map it bit by bit using acoustic instruments on ships," he explains.

From BBC

Crews must "resort to using 20th-century instruments -- radar or visible landmarks," he told AFP on condition of anonymity.

From Barron's

Related Words

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