instrumentation
Americannoun
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the arranging of music for instruments, especially for an orchestra.
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the list of instruments for which a composition is scored.
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the use of, or work done by, instruments.
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instrumental agency; instrumentality.
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the science of developing, manufacturing, and utilizing instruments, especially those used in science and industry.
noun
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the instruments specified in a musical score or arrangement
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the arrangement of a piece of music for an orchestra; orchestration
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the study of the characteristics of musical instruments
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the use of instruments or tools
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means; agency
Etymology
Origin of instrumentation
1835–45; instrument (v.) + -ation
Vocabulary lists containing instrumentation
Music - Introductory
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Music - Middle School
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Music - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Bettan delivers his song, a lovestruck ballad called Michelle, with sincerity and passion, nimbly moving into his falsetto over a mix of electronic beats and Middle Eastern instrumentation.
From BBC • May 15, 2026
Mr. Hedges himself picks fluid guitar and banjo, and room is made, too, for some surprising variations in the instrumentation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026
"The instrumentation we needed doesn't exist in most places," Cathy said.
From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026
She retains the delicacy of the instrumentation, but introduces a gorgeous complexity that, in someone else’s hands, would be too much, but here, simply enhances the vocal delivery.
From Salon • Feb. 24, 2026
After students explore and group instruments, they can develop their own instrumentation for a piece, then vary it.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
