a case or occurrence of anything: fresh instances of oppression.
an example put forth in proof or illustration: to cite a few instances.
Also called in·stanced dun·geon . (in an online multiplayer video game) a zone, as a dungeon, to which access is limited to a player or group of players entering simultaneously and working together: each instance is one copy of the zone in which the quests, enemies, items, events, etc., are staged exclusively for the player or group accessing it, without interference from other player characters in the larger online population of the game server.
Law. the institution and prosecution of a case.
Archaic. urgency in speech or action.
Obsolete. an impelling motive.
verb (used with object),in·stanced,in·stanc·ing.
to cite as an instance or example.
to exemplify by an instance.
(in an online multiplayer video game) to design (a zone) as a set of identical copies, staged exclusively for the player or group accessing it, without interference from the larger population of the game server, thereby presenting key narrative elements or achievements in a controlled environment: The game developers instanced a winter wonderland with special quests for the holiday event.
verb (used without object),in·stanced,in·stanc·ing.
to cite an instance.
Idioms for instance
at the instance of, at the urging or suggestion of: He applied for the assistantship at the instance of his professor.
for instance, as an example; for example: If you were to go to Italy, for instance, you would get a different perspective on our culture.
Origin of instance
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English instaunce, from Middle French instance, from Medieval Latin īnstantia “case, example” (Latin “presence, immediate applicability; earnestness, urgency”); see origin at instant, -ance
For instance, if you search Facebook today for vaccines, Facebook will gladly point you to several large groups that tell you not to get one.
Facebook tries to clean up Groups with new policies|Sarah Perez|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch
According to Schwartz, there have been instances in which police officers on prescription medications like Xanax have been impaired on the job.
The policing reforms in the Breonna Taylor settlement, explained|Fabiola Cineas|September 17, 2020|Vox
It depends on what your definition of “worth it” is, but coach’s challenges have certainly resulted in more instances of overturned calls than have requests.
Don’t Blame The Refs For All Of These Replay Reviews|Jared Dubin|September 17, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum and Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, for instance, will serve as early voting locations.
Trump contradicts CDC director on vaccine; Biden says Americans shouldn’t trust Trump|Colby Itkowitz, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner|September 16, 2020|Washington Post
The first-round defeat against the Jazz in 2017, for instance, came after just a 2-1 edge.
When It Comes To Playoff Disappointment, The Clippers Are In A League Of Their Own|Chris Herring (chris.herring@fivethirtyeight.com)|September 16, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
They just reflect the range of breeds that were used to create the Heck cattle in the first instance.
‘Nazi Cows’ Tried to Kill British Farmer|Tom Sykes|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
For instance, Best Buy has over 40 million members in its customer loyalty program, Reward Zone.
Best Buy Punches Back at Amazon|William O’Connor|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For instance, how do you balance honesty with any protective urge?
Daphne Merkin on Lena Dunham, Book Criticism, and Self-Examination|Mindy Farabee|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
El Bulli, for instance, previously named the best restaurant in the world, shuttered its doors after only a few decades.
Inside The World’s 10 Oldest Restaurants|Justin Jones|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This happens, for instance, in one out of five vaccinations against rubella.
We glance over the record of the Cecils, for instance, to find that the present Marquis Pg.
James Watt|Andrew Carnegie
So these men of the fifteenth century had to teach themselves, in the first instance, the very elements of this knowledge.
Renaissance Fancies and Studies|Violet Paget (AKA Vernon Lee)
The notation for the lute, for instance, was invented about 1460 to 1500.
Critical & Historical Essays|Edward MacDowell
And in this instance the fourth copy was not used, is that correct?
Warren Commission (7 of 26): Hearings Vol. VII (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
For instance, behind the plaster is the modern metal lath so superior to the old wooden variety.
If You're Going to Live in the Country|Thomas H. Ormsbee and Richmond Huntley
British Dictionary definitions for instance
instance
/ (ˈɪnstəns) /
noun
a case or particular example
for instancefor or as an example
a specified stage in proceedings; step (in the phrases in the first, second, etc, instance)
urgent request or demand (esp in the phrase at the instance of)
logic
an expression derived from another by instantiation
See substitution (def. 4b)
archaicmotive or reason
verb(tr)
to cite as an example
Word Origin for instance
C14 (in the sense: case, example): from Medieval Latin instantia example, (in the sense: urgency) from Latin: a being close upon, presence, from instāns pressing upon, urgent; see instant