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
Candace Oehler, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Cameras also would have been instrumental in helping police figure out what happened to George Musser in 2022, Mueller said.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 19 July 2025
As chief economist, Kleinhenz was instrumental in providing insights into retail industry growth, consumer spending patterns and broader economic factors, helping forecast and guide companies through economic challenges and opportunities.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 16 July 2025
Versace was instrumental in marrying fashion and celebrity, a practice typical by today’s standards but groundbreaking amongst his peers at the time.
—Zoe Whitfield, CNN Money, 15 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 29 Jul. 2025.
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instrumental
adjective
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instrumental
adjective
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