instrument
IHNST-ruh-muhnt
Instrument (noun) means a tool, especially a precise one used for measuring, medical work, or scientific tasks. Example: “The surgeon laid out each instrument before the operation.”
noun
1
A tool, especially a precise one used for measuring, medical work, or scientific tasks.
"The surgeon laid out each instrument before the operation."
"The pilot checked every instrument on the panel before the plane took off."
"A thermometer is a simple instrument for measuring temperature."
2
A device used to produce music.
"The violin was the first instrument she ever learned."
"Which instrument do you play in the school orchestra?"
"He saved up for months to buy his first instrument, a second-hand guitar."
3
A person or thing used to achieve a particular purpose, often by someone else.
"He became an unwitting instrument of the scheme."
"The court heard that she had been a mere instrument in the fraud."
"Some people see the media as an instrument of those in power."
How to use instrument
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tool — physical (like a scalpel or a guitar) or figurative (a means to an end).
Common pairings
musical instrument
precision instrument
instrument of change
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- instruments
- Past tense
- instrumented
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The surgeon laid out each _____ before the operation.
Etymology
From Latin instrumentum, "tool, equipment," from instruere ("to build, arrange, equip") + -mentum.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for instrument
See all rhymes for instrument →Frequently asked questions
What does “instrument” mean?
The word “instrument” means a tool, especially a precise one used for measuring, medical work, or scientific tasks. In plain terms, a tool — physical (like a scalpel or a guitar) or figurative (a means to an end).
How do you pronounce “instrument”?
“Instrument” is pronounced IHNST-ruh-muhnt (/ˈɪnstɹəmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “instrument” in a sentence?
Here is “instrument” used in a sentence: “The surgeon laid out each instrument before the operation.”
What part of speech is “instrument”?
“Instrument” is a noun.
Where does the word “instrument” come from?
The word “instrument” comes from Latin. From Latin instrumentum, "tool, equipment," from instruere ("to build, arrange, equip") + -mentum.
Is “instrument” a common word?
“Instrument” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “instrument” have?
“Instrument” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tool, especially a precise one used for measuring, medical work, or scientific tasks.
What is the difference between an "instrument" and a "tool"?
Both are devices used to do work, but "instrument" usually suggests a precise device for measuring, medical, or scientific tasks, while "tool" is broader and often implies manual or mechanical work. A surgeon uses instruments, whereas a carpenter uses tools.
What is the difference between an "instrument" and a "musical instrument"?
"Instrument" on its own can mean either a precise scientific or medical device or a device for producing music, with context making the meaning clear. Adding "musical" specifies the sense of an object played to make music, such as a guitar or violin.
What are common collocations with "instrument"?
Common collocations include "musical instrument," "surgical instrument," "scientific instrument," and "financial instrument." Each pairing narrows the general meaning to a particular field.
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