instrumental

adjective

in·​stru·​men·​tal ˌin(t)-strə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce instrumental (audio)
1
a
: serving as a crucial means, agent, or tool
was instrumental in organizing the strike
b
: of, relating to, or done with an instrument or tool
2
: relating to, composed for, or performed on a musical instrument
3
: of, relating to, or being a grammatical case or form expressing means or agency
4
: of or relating to instrumentalism
5
: operant sense 3
instrumental learning
instrumental conditioning
instrumental noun
instrumentally adverb

Did you know?

An instrument is a tool, something used to construct. It's often a tool for making music. A musical saw happens to be a carpenter's tool that can be played with a violin bow (though you probably wouldn't want to play a wrench or a pair of pliers). The musical meanings of instrumental, as in "It starts with an instrumental piece" or "a jazz instrumental", are common. But the meanings "helpful", "useful", and "essential", as in "He was instrumental in getting my book published", are just as common.

Examples of instrumental in a Sentence

They played instrumental music at the wedding. an instrumental version of a song
Recent Examples on the Web Voice your opinion; your words will resonate with someone who will become instrumental in your journey forward. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 In that way, a love scene can prove as instrumental to plot and character as any other scene, Haigh argued. Kyle Buchanan, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024 Slootman, who has been with the company for nearly five years and was instrumental in its historic IPO, will continue as the company’s board chairman and be replaced as CEO by Sridhar Ramaswamy—Snowflake’s senior vice president of AI and a former executive of Google’s advertising products division. Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 On an instrumental break, Dickie whispers in Fausto’s ear while Tom applauds uproariously. Hazlitt, 28 Feb. 2024 While its cast is fleshed out by Pete Davidson and Seth Rogan, Ferrera especially stands out in her instrumental role as Jenny, a nurse deep in debt who follows Keith’s stock tip. Kelly Martinez, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2024 Among the fiercest critics of these higher education reform bills is the national American Association of University Professors (AAUP), an organization that was instrumental in standardizing tenure practices in the U.S. nearly a century ago. Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Feb. 2024 Total Meditation is an instructional record, and New Blue Sun is an entirely instrumental one, a new age of New Age. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024 On top of those editions, Montana has also included a sped-up, slowed-down, instrumental, and a cappella take on each of the tracks. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'instrumental.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of instrumental was in 1616

Dictionary Entries Near instrumental

Cite this Entry

“Instrumental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instrumental. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

instrumental

adjective
in·​stru·​men·​tal ˌin(t)-strə-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce instrumental (audio)
1
a
: acting as an instrument or means
was instrumental in organizing the club
b
: of, relating to, or done with an instrument
instrumental error
2
: relating to, composed for, or performed on a musical instrument
an unusual instrumental arrangement
instrumentally adverb

Medical Definition

instrumental

adjective
in·​stru·​men·​tal ˌin(t)-strə-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce instrumental (audio)
: operant
instrumental learning
instrumental conditioning
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!