instrumentality

noun

in·​stru·​men·​tal·​i·​ty ˌin(t)-strə-mən-ˈta-lə-tē How to pronounce instrumentality (audio)
-ˌmen-
plural instrumentalities
1
: the quality or state of being instrumental
2

Examples of instrumentality in a Sentence

computer literacy is only an instrumentality for acquiring an education, and not an end in itself
Recent Examples on the Web Moore said Tuesday, after the meeting, that the city controlling the budget would not be a legal conflict of interest, as the PAB is an instrumentality of Baltimore City. Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2024 To effect these seizures, the FBI will simultaneously issue commands that will interfere with the hackers’ control over the instrumentalities of their crimes (the Target Devices), including by preventing the hackers from easily re-infecting the Target Devices with KV Botnet malware. a. Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2024 The common thread here is a blatant, self-serving instrumentality incapable of distinguishing between the desire for order and the desire for domination, between the good of all and one’s own good. Jack Butler, National Review, 31 Dec. 2023 Other authorizers cannot operate instrumentality charter schools. Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2023 State and local governments, agencies and instrumentalities of the federal government, and nonprofits were not eligible for payments. Marie Sapirie, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023 But planting trees for shade was a particular kind of instrumentality, and so was planting trees for fruit. Quartz Staff, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2023 The selection of a K has less to do with reality, and more with instrumentality. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 5 Aug. 2013 Neither is the zoo, a part of the Smithsonian Institution, which is a federal trust instrumentality created by Congress but not a part of the legislative branch. James V. Grimaldi, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'instrumentality.' 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

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of instrumentality was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near instrumentality

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

instrumentality

noun
in·​stru·​men·​tal·​i·​ty ˌin(t)-strə-mən-ˈtal-ət-ē How to pronounce instrumentality (audio)
-ˌmen-
plural instrumentalities
1
: the quality or state of being instrumental
2
: something by which an end is achieved : means
order was restored through the instrumentality of rules

Legal Definition

instrumentality

noun
in·​stru·​men·​tal·​i·​ty ˌin-strə-mən-ˈta-lə-tē, -ˌmen- How to pronounce instrumentality (audio)
plural instrumentalities
1
: something through which an end is achieved or occurs
damages incurred in a single incident through an instrumentality owned by the employer
2
: something that serves as an intermediary or agent through which one or more functions of a larger controlling entity are carried out : a part or branch especially of a governing body compare alter ego
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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