instrument

[in-struh-muh nt] /ˈɪn strə mənt/
noun
1.
a mechanical tool or implement, especially one used for delicate or precision work:
surgical instruments.
2.
a contrivance or apparatus for producing musical sounds:
a stringed instrument.
3.
a means by which something is effected or done; agency:
an instrument of government.
4.
a device for measuring the present value of a quantity under observation.
5.
a mechanical or electronic measuring device, especially one used in navigation:
landing a plane by instruments.
6.
a formal legal document, as a draft or bond:
negotiable instruments.
7.
a person used by another merely as a means to some private end; tool or dupe.
verb (used with object)
8.
to equip with instruments, as a machine or manufacturing process:
to instrument a space vehicle.
9.
to arrange a composition for musical instruments; orchestrate.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English < Latin instrūmentum equip-ment, equivalent to instrū-, stem of instruere to equip (see instruct) + -mentum -ment; see instruct
Related forms
underinstrument, noun
Synonyms
1. See tool.
Examples from the web for instrument
  • But, as often in finance, an instrument designed for insurance became a tool for speculators.
  • Means, instrument, or agent of an action or process: adornment.
  • It also means creating a debt instrument that investors can believe in.
  • So an instrument that could already be heard almost all over the campus can now be heard around the world.
  • It's worse when it makes a legal instrument illegible to the citizens who safety and property are guarded by the law.
  • When judged by its size, our vocal system fails to impress as a musical instrument.
  • His answer: a series of physical plug-ins, soundboards that alter the instrument's sound by changing the instrument physically.
  • Remove visible bubbles from the jar with a plastic knife, chopstick or other nonmetallic instrument.
  • Scientists once thought the nerdiest instrument was the theremin.
  • Soon the instrument of pleasing people becomes the goal of pleasing people.
British Dictionary definitions for instrument

instrument

noun (ˈɪnstrəmənt)
1.
a mechanical implement or tool, esp one used for precision work: surgical instrument
2.
(music) any of various contrivances or mechanisms that can be played to produce musical tones or sounds
3.
an important factor or agency in something: her evidence was an instrument in his arrest
4.
(informal) a person used by another to gain an end; dupe; tool
5.
a measuring device, such as a pressure gauge or ammeter
6.
  1. a device or system for use in navigation or control, esp of aircraft
  2. (as modifier): instrument landing
7.
a formal legal document
verb (transitive) (ˈɪnstrəˌmɛnt)
8.
another word for orchestrate (sense 1)
9.
to equip with instruments
Word Origin
C13: from Latin instrūmentum tool, equipment, from instruere to erect, furnish; see instruct
Word Origin and History for instrument
n.

late 13c., "musical instrument," from Old French instrument "means, device; musical instrument" (14c., earlier estrument, 13c.) and directly from Latin instrumentem "a tool, apparatus, furniture, dress, document," from instruere "arrange, furnish" (see instruct). Meaning "tool, implement, utensil" is early 14c. in English; meaning "written document by which formal expression is given to a legal act" is from early 15c.

instrument in Medicine

instrument in·stru·ment (ĭn'strə-mənt)
n.
A tool or implement, as for surgery.

instrument in Technology

programming
To install devices or instructions into hardware or software to monitor the operation of a system or component.
(1996-05-22)