instrument
noun OPAL W
/ˈɪnstrəmənt/
/ˈɪnstrəmənt/
- (also musical instrument)an object used for producing musical sounds, for example a piano or a drum
- to play an instrument
- Is he learning an instrument?
- percussion/brass/string instruments
- an instrument maker
Extra ExamplesTopics Musica2- Ensure the instrument is tuned to concert pitch.
- The instrument sounds like a cello.
- The piece can be played on a keyboard instrument.
- The score was written to be played on a keyboard instrument.
- an instrument made by a violin maker in Canada
- baroque music played on period instruments
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- musical
- beautiful
- fine
- …
- play
- learn
- learn to play
- …
- sound
- maker
- on an/the instrument
- a tool or device used for a particular task, especially for specialist or scientific work
- surgical/optical/scientific instruments
- Scientists then began using powerful instruments to peer through the planet's dense atmosphere.
- syringes, needles or other sharp instruments
- medieval instruments of torture such as the rack and the wheel
- instrument for something Instruments for diagnosis and surgery have become hugely more sophisticated.
- instrument for doing something the world's most powerful instrument for detecting gamma rays
Extra ExamplesTopics Scientific researchb2- All pupils should learn to use drawing instruments.
- All the instruments are made from glass capillary tubing.
- a set of mathematical instruments
- This pen is the ideal precision instrument for all your graphic needs.
- The autopsy revealed that the deceased had been hit with a blunt instrument.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- precision
- sensitive
- sophisticated
- …
- set
- use
- check
- read
- …
- measure something
- check
- maker
- panel
- …
- an instrument of torture
- a device used for measuring speed, distance, temperature, etc. in a vehicle or on a machine
- data gathered by instruments aboard the satellite
- the flight instruments
- There was a warning light flashing on the instrument panel.
Extra ExamplesTopics Engineeringb2- to read the instruments and make a note of the wind speed and direction
- an instrument that measures light intensity
- The pilot did his instrument checks in preparation for take-off.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- precision
- sensitive
- sophisticated
- …
- set
- use
- check
- read
- …
- measure something
- check
- maker
- panel
- …
- an instrument of torture
- (formal) something that is used by somebody in order to achieve something; a person or thing that makes something happen
- instrument for (doing) something The law is not the best instrument for dealing with family matters.
- instrument of something an instrument of change
Extra Examples- Even though it was a somewhat blunt instrument (= not very precise), our questionnaire provided us with some interesting ideas.
- Internet polls are considered to be better instruments than telephone polls.
- More effective instruments of oversight are needed.
- They agreed that the UN was the best instrument for reaching agreement.
- They saw criminal law as an instrument for improving public morals.
- the use of language as an instrument of power and social control
- Financial aid can become an instrument of control rather than a support.
- She was accused of making a public service an instrument of private advantage.
- Some cynics say that popular music is a mere instrument of capitalist domination.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- chief
- key
- main
- …
- regard somebody/something as
- see somebody/something as
- view somebody/something as
- …
- instrument for
- instrument of
- instrument of somebody/something (formal) a person who is used and controlled by somebody/something that is more powerful
- an instrument of fate
- The despot claimed to be the chosen instrument of divine providence.
- (law) a formal legal document
- credit instruments issued by banks
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French, or from Latin instrumentum ‘equipment, implement’, from the verb instruere ‘construct, equip’.