in|stru|ment ◆◇◇ / I nstrəmənt/ (instruments )
1 N‑COUNT An instrument is a tool or device that is used to do a particular task, especially a scientific task. □ …instruments for cleaning and polishing teeth. □ The environment itself will at the same time be measured by about 60 scientific instruments.
2 N‑COUNT A musical instrument is an object such as a piano, guitar, or flute, which you play in order to produce music. □ Learning a musical instrument introduces a child to an understanding of music.
3 N‑COUNT An instrument is a device that is used for making measurements of something such as speed, height, or sound, for example on a ship or plane or in a car. □ …crucial instruments on the control panel.
4 N‑COUNT Something that is an instrument for achieving a particular aim is used by people to achieve that aim. □ [+ of ] The veto has been a traditional instrument of diplomacy for centuries.
5 → see also stringed instrument , wind instrument SYNONYMS instrument NOUN 1
tooclass="underline" I find the best tool for the purpose is a pair of shears.
device: …an electronic device that protects your vehicle 24 hours a day.
implement: …knives and other useful implements.
gadget: …kitchen gadgets including toasters, kettles and percolators.
utensiclass="underline" The best carving utensil is a long, sharp, flexible knife.
in|stru|men|tal / I nstrəme nt ə l/ (instrumentals )
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone or something that is instrumental in a process or event helps to make it happen. □ [+ in ] In his first years as chairman he was instrumental in raising the company's wider profile.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Instrumental music is performed by instruments and not by voices. □ …a recording of vocal and instrumental music. ● N‑COUNT [usu pl] Instrumentals are pieces of instrumental music. □ The last track on the abum is an instrumental.
in|stru|men|tal|ist / I nstrəme ntəl I st/ (instrumentalists ) N‑COUNT An instrumentalist is someone who plays a musical instrument.
in|stru|men|ta|tion / I nstrəmente I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Instrumentation is a group or collection of instruments, usually ones that are part of the same machine. □ Basic flight instrumentation was similar on both planes.
i n|stru|ment pan|el (instrument panels ) N‑COUNT The instrument panel of a plane, car, or machine is the panel where the dials and switches are located.
in|sub|or|di|nate / I nsəbɔː r d I nət/ ADJ If you say that someone is insubordinate , you mean that they do not obey someone of higher rank. [FORMAL ] □ In industry, a worker who is grossly insubordinate is threatened with discharge.
in|sub|or|di|na|tion / I nsəbɔː r d I ne I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Insubordination is a refusal to obey someone of higher rank. [FORMAL ] □ Hansen and his partner were fired for insubordination.
in|sub|stan|tial / I nsəbstæ nʃ ə l/ ADJ Something that is insubstantial is not large, solid, or strong. □ Mars has an insubstantial atmosphere, consisting almost entirely of carbon dioxide.
in|suf|fer|able / I nsʌ frəb ə l/ ADJ If you say that someone or something is insufferable , you are emphasizing that they are very unpleasant or annoying. [FORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ He was an insufferable bore. ● in|suf|fer|ably / I nsʌ frəbli/ ADV [ADV adj] □ His letters are insufferably dull.
in|suf|fi|cient / I nsəf I ʃ ə nt/ ADJ [oft ADJ to-inf] Something that is insufficient is not large enough in amount or degree for a particular purpose. [FORMAL ] □ He decided there was insufficient evidence to justify criminal proceedings. [Also + for ] ● in|suf|fi|cien|cy / I nsəf I ʃ ə nsi/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Late miscarriages are usually not due to hormonal insufficiency. ● in|suf|fi|cient|ly ADV [ADV adj/-ed] □ Food that is insufficiently cooked can lead to food poisoning.
in|su|lar / I nsjʊlə r , [AM ] -sə-/ ADJ If you say that someone is insular , you are being critical of them because they are unwilling to meet new people or to consider new ideas. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the old image of the insular, xenophobic Brit. ● in|su|lar|ity / I nsjʊlæ r I ti, [AM ] -sə-/ N‑UNCOUNT □ But at least they have started to break out of their old insularity.
in|su|late / I nsjʊle I t, [AM ] -sə-/ (insulates , insulating , insulated )
1 VERB If a person or group is insulated from the rest of society or from outside influences, they are protected from them. □ [be V -ed + from/against ] They wonder if their community is no longer insulated from big city problems. □ [V n + from/against ] Their wealth had insulated them from reality. ● in|su|la|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ from ] They lived in happy insulation from brutal facts.
2 VERB To insulate something such as a building means to protect it from cold or noise by covering it or surrounding it in a thick layer. □ [V n] …a scheme to insulate the homes of pensioners and other low-income households. □ [V n + from/against ] Is there any way we can insulate our home from the noise? □ [V -ed] Are your hot and cold water pipes well insulated?
3 VERB If a piece of equipment is insulated , it is covered with rubber or plastic to prevent electricity passing through it and giving the person using it an electric shock. □ [be V -ed] In order to make it safe, the element is electrically insulated.