Definitions for instance
ˈɪn stənsin·stance

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:4.5 / 2 votes

1. case, instance, examplenoun

   an occurrence of something

   "it was a case of bad judgment"; "another instance occurred yesterday"; "but there is always the famous example of the Smiths"

2. example, illustration, instance, representativeverb

   an item of information that is typical of a class or group

   "this patient provides a typical example of the syndrome"; "there is an example on page 10"

3. exemplify, illustrate, instanceverb

   clarify by giving an example of

GCIDERate this definition:2.0 / 1 vote

1. Instancenoun

   That which offers itself or is offered as an illustrative case; something cited in proof or exemplification; a case occurring; an example; as, we could find no instance of poisoning in the town within the past year.

WiktionaryRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. instancenoun

   Urgency of manner or words; an urgent request; insistence.

2. instancenoun

   A case offered as an exemplification or a precedent; an illustrative example.

3. instancenoun

   A recurring occasion, case etc.

4. instancenoun

   A piece of evidence; a proof or sign (of something).

5. instancenoun

   In object-oriented programming: a created object, one that has had memory allocated for local data storage; an instantiation of a class.

6. instancenoun

   A question that can be asked in the context of a computational problem.

7. instanceverb

   To mention as a case or example; to refer to; to cite; as, to instance a fact.

8. instanceverb

   To cite an example as proof; to exemplify.

9. Etymology: From instance, from instantia, from instans; see instant.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Instance, Instancynoun

   Etymology: instance, French.

   1. Importunity; urgency; solicitation.

   Christian men should much better frame themselves to those heavenly precepts which our Lord and Saviour with so great instancy gave us concerning peace and unity, if we did concur to have the ancient councils renewed. Richard Hooker, b. i.

   2. Motive; influence; pressing argument. Not now in use.

   She dwells so securely upon her honour, that folly dares not present itself. Now, could I come to her with any direction in my hand, my desires had instance and argument to commend themselves. William Shakespeare, Merry Wives of Windsor.

   The instances that second marriage move,
   Are base respects of thrift, but none of love. William Shakespeare.

   3. Prosecution or process of a suit.

   The instance of a cause is said to be that judicial process which is made from the contestation of a suit, even to the time of pronouncing sentence in the cause, or till the end of three years. John Ayliffe, Parergon.

   4. Example; document.

   Yet doth this accident
   So far exceed all instance, all discourse,
   That I am ready to distrust mine eyes. William Shakespeare.

   In furnaces of copper and brass, where vitriol is often cast in, there riseth suddenly a fly, which sometimes moveth on the walls of the furnace; sometimes in the fire below; and dieth presently as soon as it is out of the furnace: which is a noble instance, and worthy to be weighed. Francis Bacon.

   We find in history instances of persons, who, after their prisons have been flung open, have chosen rather to languish in their dungeons, than stake their miserable lives and fortunes upon the success of a revolution. Addison.

   The greatest saints are sometimes made the most remarkable instances of suffering. Francis Atterbury, Sermons.

   Suppose the earth should be removed nearer to the sun, and revolve for instance in the orbit of Mercury, the whole ocean would boil with heat. Richard Bentley, Sermons.

   The use of instances is to illustrate and explain a difficulty; and this end is best answered by such instances as are familiar and common. Thomas Baker, Reflections on Learning.

   5. State of any thing.

   These seem as if, in the time of Edward the first, they were drawn up into the form of a law in the first instance. Matthew Hale.

   6. Occasion; act.

   The performances required on our part, are no other than what natural reason has endeavoured to recommend, even in the most severe and difficult instances of duty. John Rogers.

2. To Instanceverb

   To give or offer an example.

   Etymology: from the noun.

   As to false citations, that the world may see how little he is to be trusted, I shall instance in two or three about which he makes the loudest clamor. John Tillotson.

   In tragedy and satire, this age and the last have excelled the ancients; and I would instance in William Shakespeare of the former, in Dorset of the latter sort. John Dryden, Juvenal.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. instance

   An instance is an occurrence, example, or specific case of something within a larger group, category, or concept. It refers to a particular individual or occurrence that represents or demonstrates the characteristics, qualities, or attributes associated with a broader concept or category.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Instancenoun

   the act or quality of being instant or pressing; urgency; solicitation; application; suggestion; motion

2. Instancenoun

   that which is instant or urgent; motive

3. Instancenoun

   occasion; order of occurrence

4. Instancenoun

   that which offers itself or is offered as an illustrative case; something cited in proof or exemplification; a case occurring; an example

5. Instancenoun

   a token; a sign; a symptom or indication

6. Instanceverb

   to mention as a case or example; to refer to; to cite; as, to instance a fact

7. Instanceverb

   to give an example

8. Etymology: [F. instance, L. instantia, fr. instans. See Instant.]

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Instance

   in′stans, n. quality of being urgent: solicitation: occurrence: occasion: example: (Shak.) evidence, proof.—v.t. to mention as an example.—n. In′stancy, insistency.—adj. Instan′tial (rare).—At the instance of, at the motion or solicitation of; For instance, to take as an example. [O. Fr.,—L. instantia—instans.]

Matched Categories

1. • Elaborate

British National Corpus

1. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'instance' in Nouns Frequency: #1247

Anagrams for instance »

1. ancients

2. canniest

3. catenins

4. insectan

5. tenascin

How to pronounce instance?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say instance in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of instance in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of instance in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of instance in a Sentence

1. Papop Siamhan:

   COVID-19 did not result in fewer human trafficking crimes, but it resulted in authorities doing less inspections, for instance, last year fewer authorities were inspecting fishing vessels, so it’s not surprising that the numbers have lowered.

2. Patricia Kramer:

   Having a virtual reconstruction allows us to do all sorts of new computer modeling, for me, though, the most exciting piece is thinking about the impact of a differently shaped body on mobility. With the computer models, we can begin to' reanimate' them to see how they moved on hills, for instance, or how carrying burdens impacted their movements.

3. Franklin P. Jones:

   You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.

4. Martine Gosselink:

   For instance, many Dutch people don't understand why Eskimo is an offensive term, but it is, and indigenous people don't like to be called that way, also Lapland [the northern Scandinavian region populated by the Sami people] is an offensive term, but not many people know it.

5. Myron Cohen:

   If Florida, for instance, is going to see a lot of dengue, they're going to need to be better prepared, and if the southern US is going to suffer more dengue, that would be bad, information like this is very interesting and very important. We hope politicians and policy-makers will get this and act on this concern.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=instance
2. ^ GCIDE
   https://gcide.gnu.org.ua/?q=instance
3. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Instance
4. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=instance
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instance
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=instance