English Dictionary
Definition of “instrument”
instrument
Definitions
noun
- a mechanical implement or tool, esp one used for precision work ⇒
surgical instrument
- music any of various contrivances or mechanisms that can be played to produce musical tones or sounds
- an important factor or agency in something ⇒
her evidence was an instrument in his arrest
- informal a person used by another to gain an end; dupe; tool
- a measuring device, such as a pressure gauge or ammeter
- a device or system for use in navigation or control, esp of aircraft
- ((as modifier) ⇒
instrument landing
- a formal legal document
Word Origin
C13: from Latin instrūmentum tool, equipment, from instruere to erect, furnish; see instruct
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
tool,
device,
implement,
mechanism,
appliance,
apparatus,
gadget,
utensil,
contraption,
contrivance,
waldo,
=
agent,
means,
force,
cause,
medium,
agency,
factor,
channel,
vehicle,
mechanism,
organ,
Translations
- British English:
instrument
An instrument is a tool that you use to do something.The doctor used an instrument to look in my ears.ˈɪnstrəmənt NOUN The doctor used an instrument to look in my ears. - Spanish:
instrumento
nm
- French:
instrument
nm
- German:
Instrument
nnt
- Chinese: 仪器 n
- Arabic: أَدَاةٌ n
- Portuguese: instrumento nm
- Russian: инструмент nm
- Croatian: instrument nm
- Czech: nástroj nm
- Danish: instrument nnt
- Dutch: instrument nnt
- Finnish: väline n
- Greek: όργανο nnt
- Italian: strumento nm
- Japanese: 器具 n
- Korean: 도구 n
- Norwegian: instrument nnt
- Polish: przyrząd nm
- Brazilian Portuguese: instrumento nm
- European Spanish:
instrumento
nm
- Swedish: instrument nnt
- Thai: เครื่องดนตรี n
- Turkish: alet n
- Vietnamese: dụng cụ n
- British English:
instrument
An instrument is something, for example a piano or a guitar, that you use to make music.He plays three instruments.ˈɪnstrəmənt NOUN He plays three instruments.
- French:
instrument
nm
- Arabic: آلةٌ مُوسِيقيَّة n
- Brazilian Portuguese: instrumento nm
Usage examples
God or His agent is masterminding events and, being all-powerful, He is not about to let His instrument get caught.
Anthony Masters, CASCADES - THE DAY OF THE DEAD (2001)The rover first failed halfway through a test of a moving mirror that directs light to the mini-TES instrument.
New Scientist (2004)She was bludgeoned with a curved instrument no fewer than 47 times, then shot for good measure behind the right ear.
Globe and Mail (2003)For such a bold, unequivocally modern instrument , Trotter chose suitably stimulating contemporary fare.
Glasgow Herald (2001)He glanced from Mr. Marconi to a little picture above the wireless instrument.
Gavin Weightman, SIGNOR MARCONI'S MAGIC BOX: The invention that sparked the radio revolution (2003)
