{
    "term": "instrument",
    "partOfSpeech": "noun",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a2",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "an object used for producing musical sounds, for example a piano or a drum",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "to **play an instrument**"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Is he learning an instrument?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "percussion/brass/string instruments"
                },
                {
                    "text": "an instrument maker"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Ensure the instrument is tuned to concert pitch."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The instrument sounds like a cello."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The piece can be played on a keyboard instrument."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The score was written to be played on a keyboard instrument."
                },
                {
                    "text": "an instrument made by a violin maker in Canada"
                },
                {
                    "text": "baroque music played on period instruments"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Music"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["musical", "beautiful", "fine"],
                "verb + instrument": ["play", "learn", "learn to play"],
                "instrument + verb": ["sound"],
                "instrument + noun": ["maker"],
                "preposition": ["on an/​the instrument"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "a tool or device used for a particular task, especially for specialist or scientific work",
            "sensetop": "instrument for somethinginstrument for doing something",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "surgical/optical/scientific instruments"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Scientists then began using powerful instruments to peer through the planet's dense atmosphere."
                },
                {
                    "text": "syringes, needles or other sharp instruments"
                },
                {
                    "text": "medieval instruments of torture such as the rack and the wheel"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Instruments for diagnosis and surgery have become hugely more sophisticated.",
                    "contextForm": "instrument for something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "the world's most powerful instrument for detecting gamma rays",
                    "contextForm": "instrument for doing something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "All pupils should learn to use drawing instruments."
                },
                {
                    "text": "All the instruments are made from glass capillary tubing."
                },
                {
                    "text": "a set of mathematical instruments"
                },
                {
                    "text": "This pen is the ideal precision instrument for all your graphic needs."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The autopsy revealed that the deceased had been hit with a blunt instrument."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Scientific research"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["precision", "sensitive", "sophisticated"],
                "… of instruments": ["set"],
                "verb + instrument": ["use", "check", "read"],
                "instrument + verb": ["measure something"],
                "instrument + noun": ["check", "maker", "panel"],
                "phrases": ["an instrument of torture"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "a device used for measuring speed, distance, temperature, etc. in a vehicle or on a machine",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "data gathered by instruments aboard the satellite"
                },
                {
                    "text": "the flight instruments"
                },
                {
                    "text": "There was a warning light flashing on the instrument panel."
                },
                {
                    "text": "to read the instruments and make a note of the wind speed and direction"
                },
                {
                    "text": "an instrument that measures light intensity"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The pilot did his instrument checks in preparation for take-off."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Engineering"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["precision", "sensitive", "sophisticated"],
                "… of instruments": ["set"],
                "verb + instrument": ["use", "check", "read"],
                "instrument + verb": ["measure something"],
                "instrument + noun": ["check", "maker", "panel"],
                "phrases": ["an instrument of torture"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "something that is used by somebody in order to achieve something; a person or thing that makes something happen",
            "sensetop": "instrument for (doing) somethinginstrument of something",
            "labels": "(formal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The law is not the best instrument for dealing with family matters.",
                    "contextForm": "instrument for (doing) something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "an instrument of change",
                    "contextForm": "instrument of something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Even though it was a somewhat blunt instrument (= not very precise), our questionnaire provided us with some interesting ideas."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Internet polls are considered to be better instruments than telephone polls."
                },
                {
                    "text": "More effective instruments of oversight are needed."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They agreed that the UN was the best instrument for reaching agreement."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They saw criminal law as an instrument for improving public morals."
                },
                {
                    "text": "the use of language as an instrument of power and social control"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Financial aid can become an instrument of control rather than a support."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She was accused of making a public service an instrument of private advantage."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Some cynics say that popular music is a mere instrument of capitalist domination."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["chief", "key", "main"],
                "verb + instrument": [
                    "regard somebody/​something as",
                    "see somebody/​something as",
                    "view somebody/​something as"
                ],
                "preposition": ["instrument for", "instrument of"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "a person who is used and controlled by somebody/something that is more powerful",
            "sensetop": "instrument of somebody/something",
            "labels": "(formal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "an instrument of fate"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The despot claimed to be the chosen instrument of divine providence."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 6,
            "definition": "a formal legal document",
            "labels": "(law)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "credit instruments issued by banks"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈɪnstrəmənt/",
                "audio": "in/instrument/instrument__gb_3.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈɪnstrəmənt/",
                "audio": "in/instrument/instrument__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin instrumentum ‘equipment, implement’, from the verb instruere ‘construct, equip’."
}