an infinitesimal or very short space of time; a moment: They arrived not an instant too soon.
the point of time now present or present with reference to some action or event.
a particular moment: at the instant of contact.
a food or beverage, especially coffee, specially processed for quick preparation.
Older Use. the present or current month.
adjective
succeeding without any interval of time; prompt; immediate: instant relief from a headache.
pressing or urgent: instant need.
noting a food or beverage requiring a minimal amount of time and effort to prepare, as by heating or the addition of milk or water, before being served or used: instant coffee; instant pudding.
occurring, done, or prepared with a minimal amount of time and effort; produced rapidly and with little preparation: an instant book; instant answers; instant history.
designed to act or produce results quickly or immediately: an instant lottery.
Older Use. of the present month: your letter of the 12th instant.Abbreviation: inst.Compare proximo, ultimo.
present; current: the instant case before the court.
adverb
instantly.
Origin of instant
First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin instant- (stem of instāns ), present participle of instāre “to be present, urgent,” equivalent to in- in-2 + -stā- stand + -nt- present participle suffix