instrumentation
noun
in·stru·men·ta·tion
ˌin(t)-strə-mən-ˈtā-shən 
-ˌmen-
1
: the arrangement or composition of music for instruments especially for a band or orchestra
2
: the use or application of instruments (as for observation, measurement, or control)
3
: instruments for a particular purpose
also
: a selection or arrangement of instruments
Examples of instrumentation in a Sentence
There was a problem with the airplane's instrumentation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alongside contemporaries including Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and Maxwell, the neo-soul class focused on recapturing the live, thick instrumentation, rich songwriting and weighted, passionate delivery of its nominal genre predecessor.
—
Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2025
Kris Bowers, who co-directed The Last Repair Shop with Proudfoot, composed the score of the film, blending African instrumentation with sweeping cinematic themes.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
His music, stuffed with live instrumentation and harmonic sophistication, is suffused with the sound and spirit of Sly Stone, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix and Marvin Gaye, among many others.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
Dessner's collaborations with Swift have been praised for their minimalist instrumentation, introspective storytelling, and atmospheric tone.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
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Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2025
Kris Bowers, who co-directed The Last Repair Shop with Proudfoot, composed the score of the film, blending African instrumentation with sweeping cinematic themes.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
His music, stuffed with live instrumentation and harmonic sophistication, is suffused with the sound and spirit of Sly Stone, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix and Marvin Gaye, among many others.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
Dessner's collaborations with Swift have been praised for their minimalist instrumentation, introspective storytelling, and atmospheric tone.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instrumentation
Cite this Entry
“Instrumentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instrumentation. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instrumentation
noun
in·stru·men·ta·tion
ˌin(t)-strə-mən-ˈtā-shən
-ˌmen-
1
: the arrangement or composition of music for instruments
2
: instruments for a particular purpose
the instrumentation of an aircraft
Medical Definition
instrumentation
noun
in·stru·men·ta·tion
ˌin(t)-strə-mən-ˈtā-shən, -ˌmen-
: a use of or operation with instruments
especially
: the use of one or more instruments in treating a patient (as in the passing of a cystoscope)
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