instrumental
adjective
Did you know?
An instrument is a tool, something used to construct. It's often a tool for making music. A musical saw happens to be a carpenter's tool that can be played with a violin bow (though you probably wouldn't want to play a wrench or a pair of pliers). The musical meanings of instrumental, as in "It starts with an instrumental piece" or "a jazz instrumental", are common. But the meanings "helpful", "useful", and "essential", as in "He was instrumental in getting my book published", are just as common.
Examples of instrumental in a Sentence
Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 31 July 2025
In fact, as Cohen Gilliland shows, favorable public opinion was instrumental in persuading many adults who had doubts about their origins to take the test.
—Graciela Mochkofsky, New Yorker, 31 July 2025
The ban was championed by fellow Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, who was instrumental in the legalization of hemp via the 2018 Farm Bill.
—A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Philip Rivers was Gates’ quarterback for 13 of his 16 seasons, and their connection was instrumental to this situational success.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for instrumental
Cite this Entry
“Instrumental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instrumental. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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instrumental
adjective
Medical Definition
instrumental
adjective
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