instance

1 of 2

noun

in·​stance ˈin(t)-stən(t)s How to pronounce instance (audio)
1
: a step, stage, or situation viewed as part of a process or series of events
prefers, in this instance, to remain anonymousThe Times Literary Supplement (London)
2
: the institution and prosecution of a lawsuit : suit
3
a
: an individual illustrative of a category or brought forward in support or disproof of a generalization
b
archaic : exception
c
obsolete : token, sign
4
a
: instigation, request
am writing to you at the instance of my client
b
archaic : urgent or earnest solicitation
c
obsolete : an impelling cause or motive

instance

2 of 2

verb

instanced; instancing

transitive verb

1
: to illustrate or demonstrate by an instance
2
: to mention as a case or example : cite
Phrases
for instance \ fə-​ˈrin(t)-​stən(t)s How to pronounce instance (audio) , ˈfrin(t)-​ \
: as an instance or example
older people, like my grandmother, for instance
Choose the Right Synonym for instance

instance, case, illustration, example, sample, specimen mean something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category.

instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

a case of mistaken identity

illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

show us a sample of your work

specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

Examples of instance in a Sentence

Noun an instance of great courage These delays are just another instance of bureaucratic inefficiency. In most instances the disease can be controlled by medication. They have decided not to oppose the decision in this instance. Verb instanced one particular incident as an illustration of their penchant for practical jokes instanced the latest astronomical research in her presentation on measuring star magnitude
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
One of the key voices of the salt industry for many years, the now-defunct Salt Institute, may have confused public health messaging around the importance of salt reduction by emphasizing the less common instances where restriction can be dangerous. Christopher Damman, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2024 In the first weeks of school in the fall, central Indiana County saw more than half a dozen instances of students bringing weapons to school. Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Mar. 2024 Takeoff and landing are the phases of a flight with the highest instances of accidents, so flight attendants automatically assume a rigid position that prepares them to act efficiently and immediately in case of emergency. Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2024 Instead, the public executions were meted out with unchecked viciousness as the men were beaten, hanged, shot, paraded through town and, in one instance, set on fire. Joe Heim, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 Borkowski says the royal household has the ability to bounce back after a mistake, but this instance will have far-reaching consequences. Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 While some cases remain unexplained, in almost every instance the reports were fabricated or had more mundane explanations. Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 For the privileged few who have had the opportunity to journey into space, missions typically range from a couple of weeks to six months, with rare instances lasting a year or more. George Dvorsky / Gizmodo, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 Bianchi warned what could seem like a harmless hazing to some could quickly turn deadly either unintentionally or when, in instances, the person harms himself after public humiliation. Omar Rodríguez Ortiz, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024
Verb
Topics under discussion included changes in the industry over the last decade, instanced by the rise of digital and gaming, audience fragmentation, and the emergence of disruptive technologies such as AI. Liza Foreman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2023 But there’s been plenty of room for errors and hallucinations, instances when chatbots like ChatGPT have concocted inaccurate—and sometimes worrying—answers to questions. Joseph Abrams, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2023 For, instance the home to the putting surface of the fifth and 13th holes is 100 yards deep and at least 50 yards wide. Steve Dimeglio, USA TODAY, 9 July 2022

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English instaunce, instance "insistence, urging, urgent entreaty, present time, case, example," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin instantia "fact of being present or impending, insistence, urgency" (Medieval Latin also "illustrative example, lawsuit, objection, exception"), noun derivative of instant-, instans "pressing, urgent" — more at instant entry 2

Verb

derivative of instance entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4b

Verb

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of instance was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near instance

Cite this Entry

“Instance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instance. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

instance

1 of 2 noun
in·​stance ˈin(t)-stən(t)s How to pronounce instance (audio)
1
: request entry 1 sense 1
entered the writing contest at the instance of her teacher
2
: example sense 3
an instance of rare courage
3
: a particular point or step in an action or process
in the first instance

instance

2 of 2 verb
instanced; instancing
: to mention as an example : cite

Legal Definition

instance

noun
in·​stance ˈin-stəns How to pronounce instance (audio)
: the institution or prosecution of a lawsuit
a court of first instance
Etymology

Noun

French, from Late Latin instantia, from Latin, the fact of being present or impending, vehemence in speech, urgency, from instant-, instans insistent, pressing, from present participle of instare to be pressing, stand upon

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