instrument

CEFRA2

/ˈɪnstɹəmənt/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

01
noun
A tool used to perform a task or make music.
02
noun
Extra detail
A means or agency for achieving an aspect.

Examples

The thermometer is an instrument for measuring temperature.
Do you play a musical instrument?

At a glance

Sits at A2 on the CEFR scale

Senses: 5
Parts of speech: 1
Citations: 5
Synonyms: 5

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

A measuring or displaying device.
A device used to produce music.
A tool, implement used for manipulation or measurement.

More examples

In context

The dentist set down his tray of instruments.
The instrument detected an increase in radioactivity.
The violinist was a master of her instrument.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The guitarist carefully tuned his blank moments before the concert began.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

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Citations

The word in print, with each source given in full.

The Harpe. […] A harper with his wreſt maye tune the harpe wrong / Mys tunying of an Inſtrument ſhal hurt a true ſonge
1568, William Cornishe [i.e., William Cornysh], “In the Fleete Made by Me William Cornishe otherwise Called Nyshwhete Chapelman with the Most Famose and Noble Kyng Henry the VII....
But those who attack violists shouldn't throw resin. Once the ergonomic viola catches on what instrument will be immune?
1997 August 9, Edward Rothstein, “A Comeback for the Viola. No Joking.”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 27 Feb 2021
MOHAMMAD REZA SHAJARIAN (Thursday) Renowned in his native Iran, the vocalist Mohammad Reza Shajarian has been performing since the 1960s, and is now widely considered one of the finest classical Persian singers in the world. Mr. Shajarian’s son, Homayoun Shajarian, will provide additional vocals and tombak (goblet drum), while Ensemble Ava, a four-piece, will contribute additional instrumentation on the ancient Persian instruments barbat (short-necked lute), tar (long-necked lute), kamancheh (spike fiddle) and daf (frame drum).
2008 May 30, The New York Times, “Pop and Rock Listings”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 09 Apr 2022
“There the cause of death was soon ascertained ; the victim of this daring outrage had been stabbed to death from ear to ear with a long, sharp instrument, in shape like an antique stiletto, which […] was subsequently found under the cushions of the hansom. […]”
1904–1905, Baroness Orczy [i.e., Emma Orczy], “The Tremarn Case”, in The Case of Miss Elliott, London: T[homas] Fisher Unwin, published 1905, →OCLC; republished as popular edition, London: Greening & Co., 1909, OCLC 11192831, quoted in The Case of Miss Elliott (ebook no. 2000141h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg of Australia, February 2020
On the rocky island of Tungyin, 50 miles off the coast of Red China, is the headquarters of a little-known military unit called the Anti-Communist Salvation Army. The secret army, 30,000 strong, is Chiang Kai-shek's instrument for the long-promised return to the mainland.
1963 January 11, “The World”, in Time, volume LXXXI, number 2, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 32, column 3

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Origin

noun

From Middle English instrument, from Old French instrument, from Latin īnstrūmentum (“an implement, tool”), From īnstruō (“build, construct; arrange”) + -mentum.

Deep Dive

noun

More examples

Related

Quick test

The guitarist carefully tuned his blank— moments before the concert began.

Nearby

Origin

noun

The guitarist carefully tuned his blank moments before the concert began.