at the instance of

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•stance /ˈɪnstəns/   n. [countable]

1. an occurrence of something:
   allegations of new instances of oppression.
2. an example put forth in proof or illustration:
   to cite a few instances.

Idioms

3. Idioms for instance, as an example;
   for example:
   There are many different breeds of dogs; for instance, there are collies, dachshunds, and terriers.

See -stan-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•stance  (in′stəns), n., v., -stanced, -stanc•ing. 
n. 

1. a case or occurrence of anything:
   fresh instances of oppression.
2. an example put forth in proof or illustration:
   to cite a few instances.
3. Lawmaking the institution and prosecution of a case.
4. [Archaic.] urgency in speech or action.
5. [Obs.] an impelling motive.
6. Idioms at the instance of, at the urging or suggestion of:
   He applied for the assistantship at the instance of his professor.
7. Idioms for instance, as an example;
   for example:
   If you were to go to Italy, for instance, you would get a different perspective on our culture.

v.t. 

8. to cite as an instance or example.
9. to exemplify by an instance.

v.i. 

10. to cite an instance.

• Latin instantia presence, urgency (Medieval Latin: case, example). See instant, -ance
• Middle English 1300–50

Synonyms

• 2. See case ¹.