instrumentality
noun
in·stru·men·tal·i·ty
ˌin(t)-strə-mən-ˈta-lə-tē 
-ˌmen-
plural instrumentalities
1
: the quality or state of being instrumental
Synonyms
Examples of instrumentality in a Sentence
computer literacy is only an instrumentality for acquiring an education, and not an end in itself
Recent Examples on the Web
This dilemma can be solved in only one way, by the birth of a new faith, adjusted in its instrumentalities to the needs of the new century, but preserving the ultimate objectives of the old.
—
Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011
Moore said Tuesday, after the meeting, that the city controlling the budget would not be a legal conflict of interest, as the PAB is an instrumentality of Baltimore City.
—Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2024
To effect these seizures, the FBI will simultaneously issue commands that will interfere with the hackers’ control over the instrumentalities of their crimes (the Target Devices), including by preventing the hackers from easily re-infecting the Target Devices with KV Botnet malware.
a.
—Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2024
The common thread here is a blatant, self-serving instrumentality incapable of distinguishing between the desire for order and the desire for domination, between the good of all and one’s own good.
—Jack Butler, National Review, 31 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for instrumentality 
Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011
Moore said Tuesday, after the meeting, that the city controlling the budget would not be a legal conflict of interest, as the PAB is an instrumentality of Baltimore City.
—Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2024
To effect these seizures, the FBI will simultaneously issue commands that will interfere with the hackers’ control over the instrumentalities of their crimes (the Target Devices), including by preventing the hackers from easily re-infecting the Target Devices with KV Botnet malware.
a.
—Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2024
The common thread here is a blatant, self-serving instrumentality incapable of distinguishing between the desire for order and the desire for domination, between the good of all and one’s own good.
—Jack Butler, National Review, 31 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for instrumentality
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'instrumentality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near instrumentality
Cite this Entry
“Instrumentality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instrumentality. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instrumentality
noun
in·stru·men·tal·i·ty
ˌin(t)-strə-mən-ˈtal-ət-ē
-ˌmen-
plural instrumentalities
1
: the quality or state of being instrumental
2
: something by which an end is achieved : means
order was restored through the instrumentality of rules
Legal Definition
instrumentality
noun
in·stru·men·tal·i·ty
ˌin-strə-mən-ˈta-lə-tē, -ˌmen-
plural instrumentalities
1
: something through which an end is achieved or occurs
damages incurred in a single incident through an instrumentality owned by the employer
2
: something that serves as an intermediary or agent through which one or more functions of a larger controlling entity are carried out : a part or branch especially of a governing body compare alter ego
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