instrumental

Instrumental is defined as necessary or helpful, or relating to musical instruments.

(adjective)

An example of something instrumental is a strong mathematical ability to winning a math bee.
An example of instrumental used as an adjective is in the phrase "instrumental song," which means a song that is made up entirely of musical instruments and has no words.

The definition of an instrumental is a song or part of a song for musical instruments.

(noun)

An example of an instrumental is a part of a song that has all instruments and no lyrics.

See instrumental in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

serving as a means; helpful (in bringing something about)
of or performed with an instrument or tool
of, performed on, or written for a musical instrument or instruments
of or in keeping with instrumentalism
Gram. designating, of, or in the case of nouns, pronouns, or adjectives expressing means or agency

Origin: ME < MFr < ML instrumentalis

noun

a composition for a musical instrument or instruments
Gram.
1. the instrumental case: this case is expressed by inflection in Old English, Sanskrit, Russian, etc., and in English with the prepositions by or with (Ex.: OE ðȳ spere, “by the spear, with the spear”)
2. a word or phrase in this case

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See instrumental in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Serving as a means or agency; implemental: was instrumental in solving the crime.
Of, relating to, or accomplished with an instrument or tool.
Music Performed on or written for an instrument.
Grammar Of, relating to, or being the case used typically to express means, agency, or accompaniment.
Of or relating to instrumentalism.

noun

a. Grammar The instrumental case.
b. A word or form in the instrumental case.
Music A composition for one or more instruments, usually without vocal accompaniment.

Related Forms: