I. | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|ment ə l adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin instrumentalis, from Latin instrumentum + -alis -al
1. : serving as a means or intermediary determining or leading to a particular result : being an instrument that functions in the promotion of some end or purpose
this novel was instrumental in bringing on open conflict
an instrumental act leading to a reward
2. : relating to, composed for, or performed on a musical instrument
instrumental music
instrumental ensemble
— compare vocal
3. : of, relating to, or done with an instrument
instrumental design
instrumental navigation
4.
a. : of, relating to, or being a case in grammar expressing means or agency
English shows a surviving trace of the instrumental case in the of “the more the merrier”
b. : being a suffixal element that denotes means or agency
5. : based on or in accordance with instrumentalism
• in·stru·men·tal·ly - ə lē, - ə li adverb
II. noun
( -s )
1. obsolete : instrument , means
2. : the instrumental case or a word in that case
3. : a composition played on or for playing on a musical instrument — compare vocal
III. adjective
: operant 2
instrumental learning
instrumental conditioning