instrumentality definition

in⋅stru⋅men⋅tal⋅i⋅ty

[in-struh-men-tal-i-tee]

–noun, plural -ties for 1, 3.

1.	the quality or state of being instrumental.

2.	the fact or function of serving some purpose.

3.	a means or agency.

Origin:
1645–55; instrumental + -ity

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Cite This Source

in·stru·men·tal·i·ty (ĭn'strə-měn-tāl'ĭ-tē) Pronunciation Key
n. pl. in·stru·men·tal·i·ties

The state or quality of being instrumental.
A means; an agency.
A subsidiary branch, as of a government, by means of which functions or policies are carried out.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

instrumentality
noun
1.	a subsidiary organ of government created for a special purpose; "are the judicial instrumentalities of local governments adequate?"; "he studied the French instrumentalities for law enforcement"
2.	the quality of being instrumental for some purpose
3.	an artifact (or system of artifacts) that is instrumental in accomplishing some end

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Cite This Source

Instrumentality

In`stru*men*tal"i*ty\, n.; pl. Instrumentalities. The quality or condition of being instrumental; that which is instrumental; anything used as a means; medium; agency.

The instrumentality of faith in justification. --Bp. Burnet.

The discovery of gunpowder developed the science of attack and defense in a new instrumentality. --J. H. Newman.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source

Search another word or see instrumentality on Thesaurus | Reference | Translate

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Link to Us · Report Ad · Contact Us

Get your FREE Subscription to Dictionary.com Word of the Day