INSTANCE Definition & Meaning

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instance

[ in-stuhns ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a case or occurrence of anything:
fresh instances of oppression.
an example put forth in proof or illustration:
to cite a few instances.
Also called in·stanced dun·geon [in, -st, uh, nst , duhn, -j, uh, n]. (in an online multiplayer video game) a zone, as a dungeon, to which access is limited to a player or group of players entering simultaneously and working together: each instance is one copy of the zone in which the quests, enemies, items, events, etc., are staged exclusively for the player or group accessing it, without interference from other player characters in the larger online population of the game server.
Law. the institution and prosecution of a case.
Archaic. urgency in speech or action.
Obsolete. an impelling motive.

verb (used with object)

instanced, instancing.

to cite as an instance or example.
to exemplify by an instance.
(in an online multiplayer video game) to design (a zone) as a set of identical copies, staged exclusively for the player or group accessing it, without interference from the larger population of the game server, thereby presenting key narrative elements or achievements in a controlled environment:
The game developers instanced a winter wonderland with special quests for the holiday event.

verb (used without object)

instanced, instancing.

to cite an instance.

instance

/ ˈɪ�Բ��ə�Բ� /

noun

a case or particular example
for instance
for or as an example
a specified stage in proceedings; step (in the phrases in the first, second, etc, instance )
urgent request or demand (esp in the phrase at the instance of )
logic
1. an expression derived from another by instantiation
2. See substitution
archaic.
motive or reason

verb

to cite as an example

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

��ǳܲ�·�ٱ��·��·��ٲ��Գ�� noun
�ܲ�·��·��ٲ��Գ�� adjective

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of instance¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English instaunce, from Middle French instance, from Medieval Latin ī�Բ��ٲ��Գپ�� “case, example” ( Latin “presence, immediate applicability; earnestness, urgency”); instant, -ance

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of instance¹

C14 (in the sense: case, example): from Medieval Latin instantia example, (in the sense: urgency) from Latin: a being close upon, presence, from ��Բ��Բ� pressing upon, urgent; see instant

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Idioms and Phrases

at the instance of, at the urging or suggestion of:
He applied for the assistantship at the instance of his professor.
for instance, as an example; for example:
If you were to go to Italy, for instance, you would get a different perspective on our culture.

More idioms and phrases containing instance

see under for example .

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Synonym Study

See case ¹.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The Atlanta Braves, for instance, generated $67 million in revenue last year from the Battery, a neighborhood next to the ballpark where fans eat, shop, play, work and live.

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And so in this particular case, I would say that sacrifice of principle is something that the abolitionists, for instance, never did.

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But Trump's protectionist policies raise serious questions over the three countries' willingness and ability to work together on security for instance, or to ensure fans can gain entry visas, and then pass easily across borders.

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For instance, companies like AccuWeather depend on data collected by NOAA, among other sources.

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For instance, American businesses including technology giants Apple and Intel, and sportswear giant Nike have large factories in Vietnam.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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