Library / English Dictionary

INSTANCE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Example:

there is an example on page 10

Synonyms:

example; illustration; instance; representative

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("instance" is a kind of...):

information (knowledge acquired through study or experience or instruction)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "instance"):

apology; excuse (a poor example)

exception (an instance that does not conform to a rule or generalization)

case in point; precedent (an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time)

quintessence (the most typical example or representative of a type)

sample (a small part of something intended as representative of the whole)

specimen (an example regarded as typical of its class)

Derivation:

instance (clarify by giving an example of)

instantiate (find an instance of (a word or particular usage of a word))

instantiate (represent by an instance)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An occurrence of something

Example:

but there is always the famous example of the Smiths

Synonyms:

case; example; instance

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("instance" is a kind of...):

happening; natural event; occurrence; occurrent (an event that happens)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "instance"):

humiliation; mortification (an instance in which you are caused to lose your prestige or self-respect)

bit; piece (an instance of some kind)

clip; time (an instance or single occasion for some event)

Derivation:

instantiate (find an instance of (a word or particular usage of a word))

instantiate (represent by an instance)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Clarify by giving an example of

Synonyms:

exemplify; illustrate; instance

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "instance" is one way to...):

dilate; elaborate; enlarge; expand; expatiate; exposit; expound; flesh out; lucubrate (add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

instance (an item of information that is typical of a class or group)

Credits

 Context examples: 

An attribute that defines the meaning and purpose of a clinical study activity relationship instance.

(Clinical Study Activity Relationship Type, NCI Thesaurus)

For instance, they walked faster, over greater distances, and took shorter rests than flies that had normal levels of microbes.

(Gut bacteria may control movement, National Institutes of Health)

The mountain Ahuna Mons gets its own fourth category — the one instance on Ceres where bright material is unaffiliated with any impact crater.

(Bright Areas on Ceres Suggest Geologic Activity, NASA)

This clinical entity includes instances in which the systolic blood pressure is raised to 90 mmHg or more using inotropic agents, within the first hour.

(History of Cardiogenic Shock, NCI Thesaurus)

For instance, nine different variants regulate the same gene, the Estrogen Receptor (ESR1) gene.

(Detailed genetic study provides most comprehensive map of risk to date of breast cancer risk, University of Cambridge)

He had been observed, the news had been carried to the dead dog's master, the squaws remembered all the instances of stolen meat, and Grey Beaver was beset by many angry voices.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

For instance, the target site of the observation may be broad (e.g. skin) while the target site of the observation result is specific (e.g. skin on chest).

(Defined Observation Result Target Anatomic Site Code, NCI Thesaurus/BRIDG)

A defined activity is a "kind of" activity rather than an "instance of" an activity.

(Defined Study Activity, NCI Thesaurus)

This time, having missed the boat, and not being in the same position as in the previous instances, Wolf Larsen was compelled to resort to a different manœuvre.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The act or an instance of returning from one location or situation to the previous one.

(Callback, NCI Thesaurus)