instruments
instruments — noun
- instrumentssingular
- instrumentsesplural
1. Something people use to make music, like a piano, violin, or a set of drums.
Something people use to make music, like a piano, violin, or a set of drums.
Dr. Chen bought a new instrument for her daughter, who wanted to learn the violin.
learn + [instrument]: learning to play a musical instrument
The shop near the train station sells guitars, flutes, and other instruments.
Sofia practised her instrument every evening before the school concert.
Aoi picked up her cello and warmed up with a simple scale before the rehearsal.
- musical instrument
the full form; 'instrument' alone is shorter and more natural in context
- device
broader; includes non-musical tools, so less precise
文法句型
play + [instrument]
learn + [instrument]
instrument + of + [type]
常見錯誤
2. A hand-held piece of equipment that helps you do a specific job, usually without
A hand-held piece of equipment that helps you do a specific job, usually without needing electricity.
Omar used a sharp instrument to cut the leather for his new belt.
use + [instrument] + to + [verb]: describing the purpose of a tool
The dentist cleaned her instruments carefully after each patient left the room.
A scalpel is a surgical instrument designed for making very clean cuts in skin.
The archaeologist brushed dust off her instruments before examining the fragile pottery.
文法句型
[instrument] + for + [purpose]
use + [instrument] + to + [verb]
用法筆記
This sense is close to 'tool', but 'instrument' often suggests greater precision or a more specialised function, especially in medical, scientific, or artistic work.
常見錯誤
3. A display or gauge in a car, plane, or boat that shows information such as speed
A display or gauge in a car, plane, or boat that shows information such as speed, fuel level, or direction.
The pilot checked her instruments before taking off into the cloudy sky.
check + instruments: common collocation for pilots and drivers
A red light on the instrument panel warned the driver that the engine was overheating.
instrument panel: the dashboard containing the gauges
Mr. Kim studied the aircraft instruments carefully during his first flying lesson.
The ferry captain glanced at his instruments as the ship entered the narrow channel.
文法句型
instrument + panel
instrument + cluster
用法筆記
Often used in the compound 'instrument panel' or 'instrument cluster'. 'Instrument flight' means flying using only the dashboard gauges, without looking outside.
4. Something used to reach a goal or produce a result, especially when the method i
Something used to reach a goal or produce a result, especially when the method is not a physical object.
The United Nations sees education as an instrument of peace and social change.
instrument of + [abstract noun]: describing a method for achieving an abstract goal
For the young writer, social media became a powerful instrument for reaching new readers.
The treaty was the main instrument for ending the long conflict between the two nations.
The new tax policy was designed as an instrument for reducing carbon emissions across all industries.
文法句型
instrument + of + [abstract noun]
instrument + for + [gerund]
用法筆記
This is a metaphorical extension of the 'tool' sense. Typical objects include laws, policies, organisations, or technologies that serve as means to an end. More formal than 'way' or 'method'.
常見錯誤
5. A product traded on financial markets, such as stocks, bonds, or derivatives, th
A product traded on financial markets, such as stocks, bonds, or derivatives, that represents an investment or a debt.
The bank offers a range of financial instruments to help clients grow their savings.
financial + instrument: standard compound in finance
Bonds are considered safer instruments than stocks, though they usually earn lower returns.
Lena studied the different instruments available on the Singapore stock exchange before investing.
Henrik invested in both equity and debt instruments to spread the risk in his portfolio.
- security
a more formal term for a tradable financial asset; narrower than 'instrument'
- asset
broader; any item of value, not necessarily tradable on a market
- investment vehicle
broader still; includes funds and accounts alongside individual instruments
文法句型
financial + instrument
[type] + instrument
用法筆記
Technical financial term. Common types include 'debt instruments' (bonds, loans), 'equity instruments' (stocks), and 'derivative instruments' (options, futures).
instruments — verb
- instrumentspresent simple I / you / we / they
- instrumentses3rd person singular
- instrumentsing-ing form
- instrumentsedpast simple
1. To put measuring or recording devices into a machine, building, or area so that
To put measuring or recording devices into a machine, building, or area so that data can be collected.
The research team instrumented the bridge with sensors to detect small cracks after earthquakes.
instrument + [object] + with + [devices]: standard pattern
Each test vehicle was instrumented to record temperature, pressure, and vibration during the race.
be instrumented to + [verb]: passive construction for describing purpose
The hospital instrumented the new ward with cameras that monitor patient movement at night.
文法句型
instrument + [object] + with + [devices]
be instrumented + to + [verb]
用法筆記
Most common in engineering and scientific contexts. The past participle 'instrumented' is frequently used as an adjective (e.g. 'an instrumented vehicle').
2. To write or arrange a piece of music so that particular instruments in an orches
To write or arrange a piece of music so that particular instruments in an orchestra or band play specific parts.
The composer instrumented the final dance scene for strings, woodwinds, and a small choir.
instrument + [composition] + for + [instruments]: shows the scoring pattern
Beethoven originally wrote the piece for piano, but later it was instrumented for a full orchestra.
The band's producer decided to instrument the new song with horns and a string section.
- orchestrate
more common; specifically refers to arranging music for an orchestra
- arrange
broader; can mean adapting music for any group of instruments or voices
文法句型
instrument + [composition] + for + [instruments/ensemble]
用法筆記
A specialist term in music composition. More common synonyms include 'orchestrate' and 'arrange'. 'Instrument' in this sense focuses on choosing which instruments play which musical lines.
3. To officially direct a legal document, such as a contract or will, to a specific
To officially direct a legal document, such as a contract or will, to a specific person or organisation.
The lawyer instrumented the deed of sale to the new owner of the apartment building.
instrument + [document] + to + [recipient]: legal pattern
Under the new regulation, all court orders must be instrumented directly to the parties involved.
be instrumented to + [recipient]: passive legal construction
The will was instrumented to Ms. Rivera's eldest son, who now manages the family estate.
文法句型
instrument + [document] + to + [person/party]
用法筆記
A rare and highly technical legal term. In everyday legal practice, 'address', 'direct', or 'serve' are far more common. This sense appears mostly in formal written legal opinions and older documents.