1. A device that requires skill for proper use
   "The surgeon carefully handled the delicate instruments during the operation"
    
2. The means whereby some act is accomplished
   "my greed was the instrument of my destruction";
   - tool
    
3. Any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds
   "The music store displayed a wide array of musical instruments";
   - musical instrument
    
4. (law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right
   "The lease agreement was a binding legal instrument between the landlord and tenant";
   - legal document, legal instrument, official document
    
5. A person used by another to gain an end
   "He realized too late that he had been nothing more than an instrument in their political game";
   - pawn, cat's-paw
    
6. The semantic role of the entity (usually inanimate) that the agent uses to perform an action or start a process
   "In 'He cut the bread with a knife,' 'knife' has the instrument";
   - instrumental role

1. Equip with instruments for measuring, recording, or controlling
   "Scientists instrumented the satellite with various sensors"
    
2. (music) write an instrumental score for
   "She instrumented the piece for a full orchestra";
   - instrumentate
    
3. Address a legal document to
   "The lawyer instrumented the subpoena to the defendant"

Derived forms: instruments, instrumenting, instrumented

Type of: address, agency, aid, assistant, compose, device, direct, doc [informal], document, equip, fit, fit out, help, helper, means, outfit, papers, participant role, semantic role, supporter, way, write, written document

Encyclopedia: Instrument