An instrument is a tool or device that is used to do a particular task, especially a scientific task.
...a thin tube-like optical instrument.
...instruments for cleaning and polishing teeth.
The environment itself will at the same time be measured by about 60 scientific instruments.
Synonyms: tool, device, implement, mechanism More Synonyms of instrument
2. countable noun
A musical instrument is an object such as a piano, guitar, or flute, which you play in order to produce music.
Learning a musical instrument introduces a child to an understanding of music.
3. countable noun
An instrument is a device that is used for making measurements of something such as speed, height, or sound, for example on a ship or plane or in a car.
...crucial instruments on the control panel.
...navigation instruments.
4. countable noun
Something that is an instrument for achieving a particular aim is used by people to achieve that aim.
The veto has been a traditional instrument of diplomacy for centuries. [+ of]
Synonyms: agent, means, force, cause More Synonyms of instrument
5. See also stringed instrument, wind instrument
More Synonyms of instrument
instrument in British English
noun (ˈɪnstrəmənt)
1.
a mechanical implement or tool, esp one used for precision work
surgical instrument
2. music
any of various contrivances or mechanisms that can be played to produce musical tones or sounds
3.
an important factor or agency in something
her evidence was an instrument in his arrest
4. informal
a person used by another to gain an end; dupe; tool
5.
a measuring device, such as a pressure gauge or ammeter
6.
a.
a device or system for use in navigation or control, esp of aircraft
b.
(as modifier)
instrument landing
7.
a formal legal document
verb (ˈɪnstrəˌmɛnt)(transitive)
8. another word for orchestrate (sense 1)
9.
to equip with instruments
Word origin
C13: from Latin instrūmentum tool, equipment, from instruere to erect, furnish; see instruct
instrument in American English
(ˈɪnstrəmənt)
noun
1.
a.
a thing by means of which something is done; means
b.
a person used by another to bring something about
2.
a tool or implement, esp. one used for delicate work or for scientific or artistic purposes
3.
any of various devices for indicating or measuring conditions, performance, position, direction, etc. or sometimes, for controlling operations, esp. in aircraft or rocket flight
4.
any of various devices producing musical sound, as a piano, drum, violin, oboe, etc.
5. Law
a formal document, as a deed, contract, etc.
6. Finance
a written order or promise to pay a sum of money
a negotiable instrument
verb transitive
7.
to provide with instruments
8. Music
to arrange (a composition) for instruments; orchestrate
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈimplement
Word origin
OFr < L instrumentum, a tool or tools, stock, furniture, dress < instruere: see instruct
Examples of 'instrument' in a sentence
instrument
Dad was a professor of measurement whose special interest was scientific instruments.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
What was the first instrument you learnt?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
This would amount to an exemption for old worked ivory such as found in antique musical instruments.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This was the only musical instrument the marooned men possessed.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And 23 were left with surgical tools or instruments in their bodies.
The Sun (2016)
Rust was destroying the floor assembly, the seats were worn and there was no instrument panel.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Of course, the trouble with fiscal stimulus is that it is a blunt instrument.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The lamb and the ram were attacked with a blunt instrument, which may have been a piece of wood.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I am less enthralled by a camera system that reads speed limit signs and displays them on the instrument panel.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
This car is more like a scientific instrument than a means of transport.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Three-quarters of pupils studied triple sciences and all learn a string instrument to orchestra standard.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But the period instruments here are a mixed blessing.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
When the front line switched to acoustic instruments the music finally began to breathe.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
No other mechanical devices and no instruments were discovered.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Then it struck me with the force of a blunt instrument.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They can play musical instruments and they can dance.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We have an instrument panel that is more reliable than our own feelings.
Christianity Today (2000)
The company is now focused on high specification instruments and controls for a range of industries.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Perhaps learning an instrument would take his mind off his frustrations.
The Sun (2007)
The piano remains the most played instrument in music examinations.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She had been battered with a blunt instrument.
The Sun (2009)
The smallest are carried high into the atmosphere and cannot be detected by radar or other aircraft instruments.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The law paved the way for credit default swaps and other financial instruments at the heart of the financial crisis.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Probably my guitars and other instruments.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
These things happen with period instruments.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
These include the possibility that musicians may stop using its products or that future groups may ditch the guitar for other instruments.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The vast majority of aircraft have meteorological instruments strapped on to the outside, all transmitting data home.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
New financial instruments and techniques will no doubt have contributed to economic activity, at least in the short term.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Where, though, are its tools and its instruments?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The reality is utterly different, with guesswork, crude tools and misleading instrument panels.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
instrument
British English: instrument /ˈɪnstrəmənt/ NOUN
tool An instrument is a tool that you use to do something.
The doctor used an instrument to look in my ears.
American English: instrument
Arabic: أَدَاةٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: instrumento
Chinese: 仪器
Croatian: instrument
Czech: nástroj
Danish: instrument
Dutch: instrument
European Spanish: instrumento
Finnish: väline
French: instrument
German: Instrument
Greek: όργανο
Italian: strumento
Japanese: 器具
Korean: 도구
Norwegian: instrument
Polish: przyrząd
European Portuguese: instrumento
Romanian: instrument
Russian: инструмент
Latin American Spanish: instrumento
Swedish: instrument
Thai: เครื่องมือ
Turkish: alet
Ukrainian: прилад
Vietnamese: dụng cụ
British English: instrument /ˈɪnstrəmənt/ NOUN
musical An instrument is something, for example a piano or a guitar, that you use to make music.
He plays three instruments.
American English: instrument
Arabic: آلةٌ مُوسِيقيَّة
Brazilian Portuguese: instrumento
Chinese: 乐器
Croatian: instrument
Czech: nástrojhudební
Danish: instrument
Dutch: instrument
European Spanish: instrumento
Finnish: soitin
French: instrumentmusique
German: Instrument
Greek: μουσικό όργανο
Italian: strumento
Japanese: 楽器
Korean: 악기
Norwegian: instrument
Polish: instrument
European Portuguese: instrumento
Romanian: instrument muzical
Russian: инструментмузыкальный
Latin American Spanish: instrumento
Swedish: instrument
Thai: เครื่องดนตรี
Turkish: enstrüman
Ukrainian: інструмент
Vietnamese: nhạc cụ
All related terms of 'instrument'
reed instrument
a wind instrument that sounds by means of a reed
wind instrument
A wind instrument is a musical instrument that you blow into in order to produce sounds, such as a flute , a clarinet , or a recorder .
blunt instrument
something such as a hammer , used as a weapon
brass instrument
a musical wind instrument of brass or other metal with a cup-shaped mouthpiece , as the trombone , tuba , French horn , trumpet , or cornet
flight instrument
any instrument used to indicate the altitude , attitude , airspeed , drift , or direction of an aircraft
instrument flying
the navigation of an aircraft by the use of instruments only
instrument landing
an aircraft landing relying only upon instruments and ground radio devices, usually made when visibility is very poor
instrument panel
The instrument panel of a plane , car, or machine is the panel where the dials and switches are located .
musical instrument
A musical instrument is an object such as a piano , guitar , or violin which you play in order to produce music.
string instrument
a musical instrument that has strings , such as the violin or cello
transit instrument
an astronomical instrument, mounted on an E-W axis , in which the reticle of a telescope is always in the plane of the meridian . It is used to time the transit of a star , etc, across the meridian
financial instrument
A financial instrument is a document or contract that can be traded in a market , that represents an asset to one party and a liability or equity to the other.
keyboard instrument
any musical instrument that is played using a keyboard
mechanical instrument
a musical instrument, such as a barrel organ or music box , that plays a preselected piece of music by mechanical means
negotiable instrument
a legal document, such as a cheque or bill of exchange , that is freely negotiable
percussion instrument
any of various musical instruments that produce a sound when their resonating surfaces are struck directly , as with a stick or mallet , or by leverage action. They may be of definite pitch (as a kettledrum or xylophone ), indefinite pitch (as a gong or rattle ), or a mixture of both (as various drums )
precision instrument
an instrument or tool which is used for tasks which are precise or exact in nature
stringed instrument
A stringed instrument is a musical instrument that has strings, such as a violin or a guitar .
transposing instrument
a musical instrument, esp a horn or clarinet , pitched in a key other than C major , but whose music is written down as if its basic scale were C major. A piece of music in the key of F intended to be played on a horn pitched in F is therefore written down a fourth lower than an ordinary part in that key and has the same key signature as a part written in C
Chinese translation of 'instrument'
instrument
(ˈɪnstrumənt)
n(c)
(= tool, device) 器械 (qìxiè) (件, jiàn)
(Mus) 乐(樂)器 (yuèqì) (件, jiàn)
an instrument of diplomacy/repression外交/镇(鎮)压(壓)手段 (wàijiāo/zhènyā shǒuduàn)
All related terms of 'instrument'
blunt instrument
( Law ) 钝(鈍)器 dùnqì
wind instrument
管乐(樂)器 guǎnyuèqì [ 件 jiàn ]
musical instrument
乐(樂)器 yuèqì [ 件 jiàn ]
control or instrument panel
控制板 或 仪(儀)表板 kòngzhì bǎn huò yíbiǎo bǎn
an instrument of diplomacy/repression
外交/镇(鎮)压(壓)手段 wàijiāo/zhènyā shǒuduàn
can you play a musical instrument?
你会(會)一种(種)乐(樂)器吗(嗎)？ nǐ huì yī zhǒng yuèqì ma?
1 (noun)
Definition
a tool or implement, esp. one used for precision work
a thin tube-like optical instrument
Synonyms
tool
The best tool for the purpose is a pair of shears.
device
This device can measure minute quantities of matter.
implement
writing implements
mechanism
The heat-producing mechanism will switch itself on automatically.
appliance
We need to replace the washing machine and some other household appliances.
apparatus
He was rescued by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.
gadget
a handy gadget for slicing vegetables
utensil
The technique uses a single utensil to cook and serve.
contraption (informal)
an interesting musical contraption called a Theremin
contrivance
They wear simple clothes and shun modern contrivances.
waldo
2 (noun)
Definition
a measuring device to show height, speed, etc.
navigation instruments
Synonyms
meter
display
indicator
The number of wells is a fair indicator of the demand for water.
dial
gauge
a temperature gauge
3 (noun)
Definition
an important factor in something
The veto is a traditional instrument for diplomacy.
Synonyms
agent
the bleaching agent in white flour
means
force
The army was the most powerful political force.
cause
The article lists the major causes of panic attacks.
medium
English is used as a medium of instruction at primary level.
agency (old-fashioned)
a negotiated settlement through the agency of the UN
factor (Scottish)
channel
We'll be lodging a complaint through the official channels.
vehicle
Her art became a vehicle for her political beliefs.
mechanism
the clumsy mechanism of price controls
organ
the People's Daily, the official organ of the Chinese Commmunist Party
4 (noun)
Definition
a person used by another to gain an end
(informal)
The Council was an instrument of Government.
Synonyms
puppet
The ministers have denied that they are puppets of a foreign government.
tool
He became the tool of the security services.
pawn
They are being used as political pawns.
toy
He was really too old for children's toys.
creature
We are not merely creatures of our employers.
dupe
He was accused of being a dupe of the communists.
stooge (slang)
He has vehemently rejected claims that he is a government stooge.
plaything
an untidy garden scattered with children's playthings