ENGLISH
REFERENCE

instructional

adj. · n.
US //ˌɪnˈstɹəkʃənəɫ// UK //ɪnstɹˈʌkʃənəl// in·struc·tion·al
  1. 1 intended for teaching (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    used for teaching or giving information about how to do something.

    designed or intended to provide instruction, guidance, or educational information.

    Example

    The school bought new instructional videos to help students learn biology.

    Example

    The department updated its instructional materials to ensure they aligned with the latest pedagogical standards and technological advancements.

    Usage

    Often used to describe materials like books, videos, or software.
    • uninformative
  2. 2 relating to teaching (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Formal

    relating to the act or profession of teaching.

    pertaining to the process, methods, or profession of providing instruction.

    Example

    The principal observed the teacher's instructional methods during the lesson.

    Example

    The university offers a workshop focused on improving instructional leadership among senior faculty members.

    Usage

    Common in academic and professional education contexts.
Show 1 more senseShow fewer
  1. 3 a teaching tool (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    a book, video, or guide that teaches you a specific skill.

    a resource, such as a manual or film, created specifically to provide instruction.

    Example

    I watched a quick instructional on how to fix the leaky tap.

    Example

    The company produced a series of instructionals to assist new employees with the complex software migration.

    Teacher's tip

    While primarily an adjective, using 'instructional' as a noun is increasingly common in digital contexts like YouTube or software training.

© 2026 English Reference