instrumentation

noun

in·​stru·​men·​ta·​tion ˌin(t)-strə-mən-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce instrumentation (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But fans of the music don’t have the same issue now — one of the Bay Area’s best tribute bands, Aja Vu, tackles Steely Dan’s challenging catalogue with gusto, complete with jazz instrumentation. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026 According to the company, the current testing campaign focuses on validating engineering systems, including high-voltage hardware, plasma control, diagnostics, and instrumentation, before progressing toward more advanced experiments. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026 All of these tracks featured commercial instrumentation pulled from romplers, MIDI banks, and sample CDs—an unabashed embrace of sounds once considered tacky and undesirable. — Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026 For me, that comes back to rules of the road, humans in the loop, validation points, governance points, success metrics, instrumentation and tooling. — Matt Swann, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for instrumentation

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of instrumentation was in 1818

Rhymes for instrumentation

See All Rhymes for instrumentation

Browse Nearby Words

instrumentate
instrumentation
instrumentator
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Instrumentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instrumentation. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

instrumentation

noun
in·​stru·​men·​ta·​tion ˌin(t)-strə-mən-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce instrumentation (audio)
-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- How to pronounce instrumentation (audio)
: 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)

More from Merriam-Webster on instrumentation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about instrumentation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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