instrument

noun
UK: /ˈɪnstrʊmənt/
US: /ˈɪnstrəmənt/

  1. A tool or device used for a specific purpose, especially a scientific or technical one.

    1. A guitar is a musical instrument.
    2. The laboratory has many scientific instruments for research purposes.

  2. A measuring device used to indicate, measure, or record physical quantities.

    1. The car's instrument panel showed low fuel.
    2. Pilots rely on instruments to navigate the aircraft safely in bad weather.

  3. A formal legal document.

    1. The deed is a legal instrument.
    2. The bank required several instruments to finalize the loan agreement.

  4. A person or thing used to achieve a purpose.

    1. She was an instrument of change.
    2. The media can be a powerful instrument in shaping public opinion.

Synonyms

agent medium document tool deed implement mechanism device vehicle apparatus gadget utensil
instrument verb

  1. To equip with instruments for measuring, recording, or controlling.

    1. We need to instrument the car.
    2. The engineers will instrument the bridge to monitor its structural integrity.

  2. To use or treat someone or something as a means to achieve a particular purpose.

    1. He instrumented his friends.
    2. The government was accused of instrumenting the media to spread propaganda.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "instrument" in English means: A tool or device used for a specific purpose, especially a scientific or technical one., A measuring device used to indicate, measure, or record physical quantities., A formal legal document., A person or thing used to achieve a purpose..

The phonetic transcription of "instrument" is /ˈɪnstrʊmənt/ in British English and /ˈɪnstrəmənt/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "instrument": agent, medium, document, tool, deed, implement, mechanism, device, vehicle, apparatus, gadget, utensil.

Example usage of "instrument": "A guitar is a musical instrument.". More examples on the page.