{
    "term": "instance",
    "partOfSpeech": "noun",
    "academic": true,
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "b2",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "a particular example or case of something",
            "sensetop": "instance of somebody/somethinginstance of doing somethinginstance of somebody/something doing somethingin an instanceinstance in which…instance where…",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The report highlights a number of instances of injustice.",
                    "contextForm": "instance of somebody/something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He admitted two instances of taking money from the till.",
                    "contextForm": "instance of doing something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "There have been several instances of that happening.",
                    "contextForm": "instance of somebody/something doing something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "In most instances, there will be no need for further treatment.",
                    "contextForm": "in an instance"
                },
                {
                    "text": "In rare instances, viral infections in the mother may be passed to the unborn child."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I would normally suggest taking time off work, but **in this instance** I'm not sure that would do any good."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Students described many instances in which they had felt uncomfortable speaking in class.",
                    "contextForm": "instance in which…"
                },
                {
                    "text": "This is one of the few instances where the director does not succeed.",
                    "contextForm": "instance where…"
                },
                {
                    "text": "We have had instances of people who did not feel it was worth reporting a crime."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There are still countless instances of women being paid less for doing the same work as men."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Experts cite the country as an instance where human rights violations could lead to international intervention."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Further information is required to determine the correct answer in any given instance."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I cannot recall any other instance in modern times in which a huge and mighty state crumbled to dust."
                },
                {
                    "text": "In one instance, several people had their mobile phones stolen."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It is not always helpful to draw analogies, but in this instance it is useful."
                },
                {
                    "text": "North America provides the most striking instance of European settlement on a grand scale."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There are many documented instances of mass hysteria."
                },
                {
                    "text": "This instance shows how important it is to check that the machine is working properly before you use it."
                },
                {
                    "text": "This is a classic instance of Dostoevsky's writing operating on two levels."
                },
                {
                    "text": "This is an instance of his general attitude to his employees."
                },
                {
                    "text": "To take a particular instance of this problem:…"
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["countless", "innumerable", "many"],
                "verb + instance": ["give", "provide", "represent"],
                "instance + verb": ["occur", "show something"],
                "preposition": ["for instance", "in… instance", "instance of"],
                "phrases": ["in the first instance"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "for example",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "What would you do, for instance, if you found a member of staff stealing?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Murder, petty theft and tax evasion, for instance, all have different motives and consequences."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "as the first part of a series of actions",
            "labels": "(formal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "In the first instance, notify the police and then contact your insurance company."
                },
                {
                    "text": "In the first instance, a letter from your employer may be all you need."
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈɪnstəns/",
                "audio": "in/instance/instance__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈɪnstəns/",
                "audio": "in/instance/instance__us_2.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "late 16th cent. (in its current sense): from medieval Latin instantia ‘example to the contrary’ (translating Greek enstasis ‘objection’); hence the meaning “single occurrence”."
}