instance

/ˈɪnstɪns/

/ˈɪnstəns/

Other forms: instances; instanced; instancing

An instance is a specific example or case of something. One instance of being chased by a growling dog can make a person spend his whole life being afraid of animals.

It's common to find instance used in the expression "for instance," meaning "for example." Bright colors — for instance, pink, green, and blue — can cheer you up when you're feeling sad. Instance can also mean "occurrence." Several instances of cheating might be reported after a math test, for example. In the sixteenth century, the Medieval Latin word instantia meant "example to the contrary," leading to an early definition of instance as "single objection."

Definitions of instance

1. noun

   an item of information that is typical of a class or group
   synonyms: example, illustration, representative

   types:

   apology, excuse

   a poor example

   exception, outlier

   an instance that does not conform to a rule or generalization

   case in point, precedent

   an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time

   quintessence

   the most typical example or representative of a type

   sample

   a small part of something intended as representative of the whole

   specimen

   an example regarded as typical of its class

   coupon

   a test sample of some substance

   cross section

   a sample meant to be representative of a whole population

   grab sample

   a single sample or measurement taken at a specific time or over as short a period as feasible

   random sample

   a sample grabbed at random

   tasting

   a small amount (especially of food or wine)

   type of:

   information

   knowledge acquired through study or experience or instruction
2. noun

   an occurrence of something
   “another instance occurred yesterday”

   synonyms: case, example

   types:

   humiliation, mortification

   an instance in which you are caused to lose your prestige or self-respect

   bit, piece

   an instance of some kind

   clip, time

   an instance or single occasion for some event

   type of:

   happening, natural event, occurrence, occurrent

   an event that happens
3. verb

   clarify by giving an example of
   synonyms: exemplify, illustrate

   type of:

   dilate, elaborate, enlarge, expand, expatiate, exposit, expound, flesh out

   add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing