instrument
4 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
instruments
plural
instruments
Britannica Dictionary definition of INSTRUMENT
[count]
1
:
a tool or device used for a particular purpose
-
instruments of torture
-
The murder weapon was a blunt instrument. [=an object without sharp edges or points]
especially
:
a tool or device designed to do careful and exact work
-
surgical/laboratory instruments
2
:
a device that measures something (such as temperature or distance)
-
an instrument designed to measure the Earth's atmosphere
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Part of her training as a pilot involved learning to fly by instruments. [=learning to fly only by looking at the instruments in the airplane]
3
:
a device that is used to make music
—
see also wind instrument
-
The piano was his favorite musical instrument.
-
Do you play any instruments?
4
:
someone or something that can be used to do or achieve something
-
Movies can be useful instruments of social change. [=movies can be used to cause social change]
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She believed that she was an instrument of God. [=she believed that God was using her to do things; she believed that God was acting through her]
5
law
:
an official document that shows legal rights or duties
-
a mortgage instrument
-
stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments
