instance

UK: /ˈɪnstəns/ US: /ˈɪnstəns/ ,(in′stəns)

Inflections of 'instance' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

instances

v 3rd person singular

instancing

v pres p

instanced

v past

instanced

v past p

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.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

instance / ˈɪnstəns/ noun

1. a case or particular example
2. for instance ⇒ for or as an example
3. a specified stage in proceedings; step (in the phrases in the first, second, etc, instance)
4. urgent request or demand (esp in the phrase at the instance of)

verb (transitive)

1. to cite as an example

Etymology: 14th Century (in the sense: case, example): from Medieval Latin instantia example, (in the sense: urgency) from Latin: a being close upon, presence, from instāns pressing upon, urgent; see instant