instrument
1 of 2noun
in·stru·ment ˈin(t)-strə-mənt 
1
: a device used to produce music
also : a singing voice
2
: implement
especially : one designed for precision work
3
a
: a measuring device for determining the present value of a quantity under observation
b
: an electrical or mechanical device used in navigating an airplane
especially : such a device used as the sole means of navigating
4
a
: a means whereby something is achieved, performed, or furthered
b
: one used by another as a means or aid : dupe, tool
5
: a formal legal document (such as a deed, bond, or agreement)
instrument
2 of 2verb
in·stru·ment ˈin(t)-strə-ˌment
instrumented; instrumenting; instruments
transitive verb
1
: to address a legal instrument to
2
: to score for musical performance : orchestrate
3
: to equip with instruments especially for measuring and recording data
Synonyms
Noun
- certificate
- certification
- document
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun an instrument designed to measure the Earth's atmosphere The piano was his favorite musical instrument. Do you play any instruments?
Recent Examples on the Web
Laura Garcia, San Antonio Express-News, 7 Sep. 2022 The instrument, called MOXIE, or the Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment, was able to produce six grams of oxygen per hour during the tests—about the rate of a small tree, according to a press release. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2022 The exoplanet was first discovered in 2017 using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope and its SPHERE instrument, located in Chile. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 1 Sep. 2022 This portable, easy-to-play, four-string instrument brings unmeasurable joy to many. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Sep. 2022 This is a small, vicious instrument with tiny, triangular, bent tines that look like canine teeth sticking out to rip the kernels from the cob. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2022 Modern readers are more intelligent, but just for the stragglers, a zither is a flat, stringed instrument, like a guitar with a shallower sound box and no neck. David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Aug. 2022 Play an instrument, cook, knit, build, tinker or doodle. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 Rieke has served as the chief scientist for one of the telescope’s main instruments, the NIRCam; her husband, George Rieke, has been the chief U.S. scientist for another instrument, the MIRI. Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 18 July 2022 NBC News, 23 May 2018 Bullerengue is a genre led mainly by elderly women, instrumented exclusively with artisan drums, and preserved through oral tradition. Marjua Estevez, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2017 But however well-instrumented, machines can't intuit. Bucky Mcmahon, Popular Mechanics, 8 Sep. 2017 The plan is for the NFL, when the technology is ready, to offer mouth guards instrumented with such sensors to players to measure their impact response. Barry Wilner, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Aug. 2017 The plan is for the NFL, when the technology is ready, to offer mouth guards instrumented with such sensors to players to measure their impact response. USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2017 See More
Noun
Holly Auditorium is a new multi-million-dollar instrument — one that will allow researchers to see molecular proteins a thousand times smaller than the width of a human hair. Laura Garcia, San Antonio Express-News, 7 Sep. 2022 The instrument, called MOXIE, or the Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment, was able to produce six grams of oxygen per hour during the tests—about the rate of a small tree, according to a press release. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2022 The exoplanet was first discovered in 2017 using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope and its SPHERE instrument, located in Chile. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 1 Sep. 2022 This portable, easy-to-play, four-string instrument brings unmeasurable joy to many. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Sep. 2022 This is a small, vicious instrument with tiny, triangular, bent tines that look like canine teeth sticking out to rip the kernels from the cob. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2022 Modern readers are more intelligent, but just for the stragglers, a zither is a flat, stringed instrument, like a guitar with a shallower sound box and no neck. David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Aug. 2022 Play an instrument, cook, knit, build, tinker or doodle. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 Rieke has served as the chief scientist for one of the telescope’s main instruments, the NIRCam; her husband, George Rieke, has been the chief U.S. scientist for another instrument, the MIRI. Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 18 July 2022 Verb
Unlike earthquake prediction — which in terms of short-term prediction is currently not feasible and may never be feasible on a short timescale — volcano prediction is feasible and is common if volcanoes are instrumented. NBC News, 23 May 2018 Bullerengue is a genre led mainly by elderly women, instrumented exclusively with artisan drums, and preserved through oral tradition. Marjua Estevez, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2017 But however well-instrumented, machines can't intuit. Bucky Mcmahon, Popular Mechanics, 8 Sep. 2017 The plan is for the NFL, when the technology is ready, to offer mouth guards instrumented with such sensors to players to measure their impact response. Barry Wilner, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Aug. 2017 The plan is for the NFL, when the technology is ready, to offer mouth guards instrumented with such sensors to players to measure their impact response. USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin instrumentum, from instruere to arrange, instruct
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
circa 1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing instrument
Kids Definition
instrument
noun
in·stru·ment ˈin-strə-mənt
1
: a tool or device for doing a particular kind of work
a dentist's instruments
2
: a device used to produce music
3
: a way of getting something done
Curiosity is an instrument of discovery.
4
: a legal document (as a deed)
5
: a device that measures something (as altitude or temperature)
Medical Definition
instrument
noun
in·stru·ment ˈin(t)-strə-mənt
: any implement, tool, or utensil (as for surgery)
Legal Definition
instrument
noun
in·stru·ment
1
: a means or implement by which something is achieved, performed, or furthered
an instrument of crime
2
: a document (as a deed, will, bond, note, certificate of deposit, insurance policy, warrant, or writ) evidencing rights or duties especially of one party to another under the law
a person is not liable on an instrument unless the person signed the instrument Uniform Commercial Code
Uniform Commercial Codean indictment is a form of charging instrument
specifically : negotiable instrument
instrument
noun
1
as in certificate
a written or printed paper giving information about or proof of something a valid will is a legal instrument Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- certificate
- certification
- document
- diploma
- record
- credentials
- parchment
- warrant
- warranty
- coupon
- writ
- voucher
2
as in tool
an article intended for use in work always choose the right instrument for any woodworking job Synonyms & Similar Words
- tool
- device
- utensil
- mechanism
- apparatus
- implement
- gadget
- accessory
- appliance
- contraption
- gizmo
- appendage
- contrivance
- adjunct
- accessary
- gismo
- jigger
- attachment
- accouterment
- accoutrement
3
as in instrumentality
something used to achieve an end he sees scouting as an instrument for building character in young people Synonyms & Similar Words
- instrumentality
- organ
- vehicle
- means
- tool
- agent
- mechanism
- machinery
- factor
- power
- agency
- incentive
- ministry
- weapon
- ingredient
- influence
- medium
- determinant
- impetus
- cause
- driver
- reason
- generator
- catalyst
- stimulus
- expedient
- activator
- trigger
- executor
- antecedent
- launcher
- inspiration
- occasion
- mover
- instigation
- animator
- instigator
- energizer
- subagent
- subagency
4
as in pawn
one that is or can be used to further the purposes of another the claim that the scientists are mere instruments of the tobacco companies, who pay them to produce findings that are highly suspect Synonyms & Similar Words
- tool
- pawn
- puppet
- lay figure
- minion
- victim
- sucker
- cat's-paw
- foil
- gull
- chump
- dupe
- lap dog
- stooge
- yes-man
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of instrument are appliance, implement, tool, and utensil. While all these words mean "a relatively simple device for performing work," instrument suggests a device capable of delicate or precise work.
the dentist's instruments
The words appliance and instrument can be used in similar contexts, but appliance refers to a tool or instrument utilizing a power source and suggests portability or temporary attachment.
household appliances
While the synonyms implement and instrument are close in meaning, implement may apply to anything necessary to perform a task.
crude stone implements
farm implements
Tool suggests an implement adapted to facilitate a definite kind or stage of work and suggests the need of skill more strongly than implement.
a carpenter's tools
The synonyms utensil and instrument are sometimes interchangeable, but utensil applies to a device used in domestic work or some routine unskilled activity.
kitchen utensils