installment

/ɪnˈstɑlmɪnt/

/ɪnˈstɔlmənt/

Other forms: installments

An installment is a part or section of something, like the monthly installment you pay on your credit card debt or the latest installment of your favorite TV show.

"Partial payment" is the oldest meaning of this word, and it's still a common way to use it: "She sold me the bike and I'm paying her in installments." It's also used for anything split into sections or episodes. Your favorite serialized comic comes out in installments every three months, but you only have to wait a day for the next installment of that afternoon soap opera!

Definitions of installment

1. noun

   a payment of part of a debt; usually paid at regular intervals
   type of:

   payment

   a sum of money paid or a claim discharged
2. noun

   a part of a broadcast serial
   synonyms: episode, instalment

   types:

   cliffhanger

   an episode that ends in suspense

   type of:

   broadcast, program, programme

   a radio or television show
3. noun

   a part of a published serial
   synonyms: instalment

   types:

   fascicle, fascicule

   an installment of a printed work

   type of:

   text, textual matter

   the words of something written
4. noun

   the act of installing something (as equipment)
   synonyms: installation, installing, instalment

   type of:

   beginning, commencement, start

   the act of starting something