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instance

n. · v.
US //ˈɪnstəns// UK //ˈɪnstəns// in·stance
  1. 1 an example (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate General-service

    a particular example or case of something happening.

    an individual occurrence or a case offered as an exemplification of a general rule or trend.

    Example

    This is just one instance of the problem, but there are many others.

    Example

    The report cited several instances where the safety protocols had been ignored by the night shift staff.
  2. 2 computing/software (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    a single copy of a computer program or a database that is currently running.

    a specific realization of any object in computing, such as a running process, a database, or an object in object-oriented programming.

    Example

    You can run more than one instance of the app at the same time.

    Example

    The cloud architect recommended launching a separate instance of the database to handle the increased traffic from the marketing campaign.
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  1. 3 decentralised server (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    an independent server on a social network like Mastodon.

    an independent server that runs a specific software protocol within a federated or decentralized network.

    Example

    I decided to join a smaller instance of the social network to find people with similar hobbies.

    Example

    Users on one instance can still communicate with those on another, provided the servers are federated correctly.
  2. 4 gaming area (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Technical Computing

    a private copy of a game area created just for you or your group.

    a separate copy of a game environment created for a specific player or party, isolating them from the rest of the game world.

    Example

    Our group entered the instance to fight the boss without any other players interfering.

    Example

    The developers used instancing to ensure that popular quest locations did not become overcrowded during peak hours.
  3. 5 to give an example (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Academic

    to give something as an example.

    to cite or mention a particular case as an illustrative example.

    Example

    The professor instanced the recent economic crisis to explain his theory.

    Example

    The author instances several historical revolutions to support her argument regarding social inequality.

    Usage

    This verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French instance, from Latin īnstantia (“a being near, presence, also perseverance, earnestness, importunity, urgency”), from īnstāns (“urgent”); see instant.

Word family

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