noun
Uncommon
installment
ihn-STAWL-muhnt
Installment (noun) means one part of something released or paid in a series over time. Example: “The next installment of the series comes out in the spring.”
noun
1
One part of something released or paid in a series over time.
"The next installment of the series comes out in the spring."
"He paid off the sofa in six monthly installments."
How to use installment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne piece of a series — whether it's a payment plan or the next episode of a story.
UK vs US
"Installment" is the standard US spelling; British, Australian, and Canadian English typically write "instalment" with one L.
Common pairings
pay in installments
the latest installment
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Word forms
- Plural
- installments
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The next _____ of the series comes out in the spring.
Etymology
An altered 1732 spelling of "estallment," from Anglo-Norman estaler ("to fix payments"), from Old French estal ("fixed position").
Class of 1732
installment joined the language around 1732.
See the full Class of 1732 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “installment” mean?
The word “installment” means one part of something released or paid in a series over time. In plain terms, one piece of a series — whether it's a payment plan or the next episode of a story.
How do you pronounce “installment”?
“Installment” is pronounced ihn-STAWL-muhnt (/ɪnˈstɔːl.mənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “installment” in a sentence?
Here is “installment” used in a sentence: “The next installment of the series comes out in the spring.”
What is another word for “installment”?
Words with a similar meaning to “installment” include investiture, investment and installation.
What part of speech is “installment”?
“Installment” is a noun.
Where does the word “installment” come from?
The word “installment” dates back to around 1732 and comes from Old French. An altered 1732 spelling of "estallment," from Anglo-Norman estaler ("to fix payments"), from Old French estal ("fixed position").
Is “installment” a common word?
“Installment” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between installment and payment?
An installment is specifically one part of a larger sum that is paid in a series over time, such as a monthly installment on a loan. Payment is a more general term for any transfer of money, which may be made as a single lump sum or broken into installments.
How is installment used outside of finance?
Beyond payments, installment is also used for one part of something released over time, such as an installment of a book series, television show, or magazine story. In both financial and creative contexts, the core idea is the same: one segment of something larger delivered in stages.
Is installment spelled differently in British and American English?
American English typically uses installment with two Ls, while British English commonly uses instalment with one L. Both spellings refer to the same concept of a partial payment or a single part of a serialized release.
