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

He thinks of composer Michael Giacchino “onstage with those virtuosos at their respective instruments; we work with masters all around us, so we have a lot of trust in them.”

From Los Angeles Times

Event contracts are taxed and regulated by the federal government as financial instruments.

From Barron's

Instead, there is smoke and vivid use of light—in the most dramatic sequences, such as the fire, a wall-size blaze of color angles forward from a bank of instruments on the floor upstage.

From The Wall Street Journal

These instruments are essential for future missions that aim to directly image Earth-like planets around other stars, objects that can be ten billion times fainter than the stars they orbit.

From Science Daily

Ministers are "investing millions" to help schools invest in musical instruments and equipment, and "supporting high quality music teaching through our Music Hubs", they said.

From BBC

Related Words

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