instance1 nouninstance2 verb
instancein‧stance1 /ˈɪnstəns/ ●●○ W2 AWL noun 
WORD ORIGINinstance
Origin:
1300-1400 French, Latin instantia ‘presence, urgency’, from instans; ➔ INSTANT1EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Another instance of Charles's outspokenness was his attack on his sister's choice of husband.
- Some users of Ecstasy have actually died, but such instances are very rare.
- The grey suit has been replaced in some instances with pink trousers and sandals.
- But here Golding offers the extremest instance of how it might be tragic too.
- Elizabeth had said so and she had been, as she was in so many instances, quietly right.
- Fiscal policy, for instance, is commendably tight; there are no signs of any government-led dash for growth.
- It outlined a set of principles and indicated how they would work in particular instances.
- Rather than any theory of civilizations, therefore, we must study real instances if we wish to understand what civilization is.
- Scholars have found, for instance, surprising links between Taylor and a number of literary figures.
- The rise from 7, 000 to 8, 000, for instance, equaled a gain of 14. 3 percent.
- These three cases are instances of a civilization working over its own heritage something rarely brought fully to light.
THESAURUS
something that you mention because it is typical of the kind of thing that you are talking about: · The hall is a perfect example of medieval architecture.· There are many ways in which technology has changed our lives. The car is an obvious example.· This painting is a typical example of Picasso’s work in his Blue Period.
an example of something that happens, especially something bad: · There have been some cases of women employees being fired because they are pregnant.· In one case a man was charged $2,000 for a simple medical check-up.· Recent government spending on schools is a classic case of too little, too late.
an example of a particular kind of situation or event, especially something bad. Instance is more formal than case: · Some users of Ecstasy have actually died, but such instances are very rare.· The report describes instances of discrimination.· In a few rare instances, the disease can cause death.
something, especially a story or situation, that you use as an example: · As an illustration of this, consider the following example.· He mentioned the recent events in the Middle East by way of illustration (=as an example).
what you say when giving examples used when giving an example: · Prices have risen sharply. The price of gasoline, for example, has risen by over 50%.· Nepal has many attractions for visitors. For example, you can go trekking in the Himalayas, or see tigers in Chitwan National Park.
used when giving an example. For instance is slightly less formal than for example and is used more in spoken English: · There were many unanswered questions. For instance, where was the money going to come from?· Some people are really good at languages. Take Katie, for instance.
written used when giving an example or a list of examples. Don’t use eg in formal writing – use the full phrase for example: · Make sure you eat foods that contain protein, e.g. meat, fish, eggs, milk, or cheese.
especially written used when giving one or two typical examples when there are many others: · It is difficult to get even basic foods such as bread and sugar.
spoken used when giving a particular example as a way of proving that what you are saying is correct: · Take John – he has a good job but he didn’t go to university.· It is possible to recover from some types of cancer. Take skin cancer, for example.
used when emphasizing that someone or something is a good or typical example of what you have just mentioned: · Some birds have returned to Britain after once being extinct here. The return of the osprey is a case in point.
something that you mention because it is typical of the kind of thing that you are talking about: · The hall is a perfect example of medieval architecture.· There are many ways in which technology has changed our lives. The car is an obvious example.· This painting is a typical example of Picasso’s work in his Blue Period.
an example of something that happens, especially something bad: · There have been some cases of women employees being fired because they are pregnant.· In one case a man was charged $2,000 for a simple medical check-up.· Recent government spending on schools is a classic case of too little, too late.
an example of a particular kind of situation or event, especially something bad. Instance is more formal than case: · Some users of Ecstasy have actually died, but such instances are very rare.· The report describes instances of discrimination.· In a few rare instances, the disease can cause death.
something, especially a story or situation, that you use as an example: · As an illustration of this, consider the following example.· He mentioned the recent events in the Middle East by way of illustration (=as an example).
what you say when giving examples used when giving an example: · Prices have risen sharply. The price of gasoline, for example, has risen by over 50%.· Nepal has many attractions for visitors. For example, you can go trekking in the Himalayas, or see tigers in Chitwan National Park.
used when giving an example. For instance is slightly less formal than for example and is used more in spoken English: · There were many unanswered questions. For instance, where was the money going to come from?· Some people are really good at languages. Take Katie, for instance.
written used when giving an example or a list of examples. Don’t use eg in formal writing – use the full phrase for example: · Make sure you eat foods that contain protein, e.g. meat, fish, eggs, milk, or cheese.
especially written used when giving one or two typical examples when there are many others: · It is difficult to get even basic foods such as bread and sugar.
spoken used when giving a particular example as a way of proving that what you are saying is correct: · Take John – he has a good job but he didn’t go to university.· It is possible to recover from some types of cancer. Take skin cancer, for example.
used when emphasizing that someone or something is a good or typical example of what you have just mentioned: · Some birds have returned to Britain after once being extinct here. The return of the osprey is a case in point.
Longman Language Activatora typical example of something something that you mention because it is typical of the kind of thing that you are talking about: · There are many ways in which technology has changed our lives. The car is an obvious example.example of: · The church is an interesting example of the Gothic style.· This painting is a typical example of Picasso's work in his Blue Period.give an example: · Attitude problems? Can you give me an example?a good/typical/classic example: · Some activities are too expensive for poorer children to take part in. Horseriding is a good example.· Max is a classic example of a man who can't control his ambition.a prime example (=an example of something or someone you do not like): · Hitler, Mussolini, Franco: all prime examples of men hungry for power.a shining example (=an example of something you admire): · The school is a shining example of what parent-teacher co-operation can achieve.
an example of something that happens, especially something bad: case of: · There have been some cases of women employees being fired because they are pregnant.in one case/in some cases/in every case: · In one case a man was charged $2000 for a simple medical check-up.a classic case (=a very typical case): · Recent government spending on schools is a classic case of too little, too late.in somebody's case: · Seat belts are supposed to prevent serious injury, but they didn't work in my case.
an example of a particular kind of situation or event: · Some users of Ecstasy have actually died, but such instances are very rare.instance of: · Another instance of Charles's outspokenness was his attack on his sister's choice of husband.in some instances: · The grey suit has been replaced in some instances with pink trousers and sandals.
if a particular person, situation, or type of behaviour exemplifies something, it is a typical example of it: · This court exemplifies the values of fairness and justice.· The modern spirit of revolt was best exemplified by the work of Kafka and Freud.
what you say when you give an example use this when you are giving an example: · There are lots of famous buildings in Kyoto, for example the Golden Pavilion and the Tyoanyi Temple.· There are some tasks which are your responsibility. For instance, it's up to you to dismantle furniture and take down curtains.
written use this when you are giving an example or a series of examples. In British English, people usually write eg ; in American English people usually write e.g.: · Make sure you eat foods that contain protein, e.g. meat, cheese, fish, milk, or eggs.· This course includes a study of basic language skills (eg speaking and listening).
especially written used when you want to give one or two typical examples of something but not all the examples that are possible: · It is difficult to get even basic foods such as sugar and bread.· People's ability to do the tests is influenced by factors such as age, sex, and ethnic background.
especially spoken used in spoken English when you are giving a example which is typical of what you mean: · We could cook something easy, like pasta.· We still haven't settled a number of problems, like who is going to be in charge here while I'm away.
spoken say this when you are talking about something and you want to give an example of a certain type of situation, person etc, in order to prove what you are saying is correct: · I can think of lots of people who got worse grades than you and still have good jobs. Take Julie.take somebody/something for example: · Take me for example. I've never relied on other people for help.
a particular person, situation etc that is a case in point , is a very good or typical example of what you have just mentioned: · Some birds have returned to England after once being extinct here. The return of the osprey is a case in point.· Some women have managed to achieve success in football. A case in point is Anne Spencer.
formal if you name a particular situation, person etc by way of illustration , you want to use them as a way of explaining what you mean: · Other countries have totally different laws on abortion. By way of illustration let us look at the cases of Germany and Japan.
if you say to name but a few after giving several examples of something, you mean that these are just a few examples of what you mean and there are many more: · So many industries have been hit in the recession. Steel, coal, construction, to name but a few.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
In this instance I think she was mistaken.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
In this instance I think she was mistaken.· But suppose we don't know of any particular instances.· Firms may be unaware of theft by their employees, and shops will not be aware of particular instances of shoplifting.· It outlined a set of principles and indicated how they would work in particular instances.· Now one would not wish to deny the value of extrapolation, of drawing general conclusions from the evidence of particular instances.· The simpler level is a search for the correct output for some particular instance.· But how are we to evaluate their size in any particular instance?· In this particular instance the service is the actual act of painting, the goods are the canvas and frame.· Two particular instances will illustrate some of the difficulties.
· The chances of Down's recurring in a subsequent birth is also rare in most instances.· In rare instances, they were even given plantations and slaves of their own.· Once your case is concluded you can not, except in very rare instances, return to seek further compensation.· In exceedingly rare instances, a neoplasm or arteriovenous malformation may be the cause.· Typically the two communities exchange correspondence, gifts and, in rare instances, visits.· In rare instances, parkinsonian patients taking levodopa experience increased libido as a side effect.· Yet a few rare instances provide us with at least a general sense of the magnitude of this particular organizational cost.· In rare instances, he sees the desert gently.
· From a social efficiency point of view, the methods chosen in any specific instance should be determined by efficiency considerations.· Do not ask for specific instances, particularly for something like birth; just take whatever is presented.· That is something that can be argued over in specific instances.· As well as noting occupations, he made occasional comments on specific instances of poverty.· The pupil seems to be giving instructions for others to follow rather than saying what was done in this specific instance.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► at somebody’s instancePHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- Old English was in many ways similar to Modern German. For instance, the nouns, adjectives, and verbs were highly inflected.
- A limited contract for a few sessions, at least in the first instance, is always preferable.
- It was not designed as a dwelling place in the first instance.
- It will be screened in the first instance for Tory Party workers throughout Britain.
- Making contact with the families in the first instance was the most difficult problem.
- Smith regarded this distribution as depending in the first instance on relative bargaining strength.
- Soviet forces were not, at least in the first instance, to be withdrawn unconditionally.
- The decision should be made in the first instance as if it were easy to be made.
- We must act to prevent pollution in the first instance.
- A limited contract for a few sessions, at least in the first instance, is always preferable.
- It was not designed as a dwelling place in the first instance.
- It will be screened in the first instance for Tory Party workers throughout Britain.
- Making contact with the families in the first instance was the most difficult problem.
- Smith regarded this distribution as depending in the first instance on relative bargaining strength.
- Soviet forces were not, at least in the first instance, to be withdrawn unconditionally.
- The decision should be made in the first instance as if it were easy to be made.
WORD FAMILYnouninstanceinstantadjectiveinstantinstantaneousadverbinstantlyinstantaneously
1for instance for example: We need to rethink the way we consume energy. Take, for instance, our approach to transport.2[countable] an example of a particular kind of situationinstance of They came across many instances of discrimination.instance where/when instances where safety regulations have been breached In this instance I think she was mistaken.► see thesaurus at example3in the first instance at the beginning of a series of actions: Anyone wishing to join the society should apply in the first instance to the secretary.4at somebody’s instance formal because of someone’s wish or requestinstance1 nouninstance2 verb
instanceinstance2 AWL verb [transitive] formal to give something as an example: She instanced the first chapter as proof of his skill in constructing scenes.