noun / verb
instance
IN-stens/ˈɪnstəns/
A specific realization of a general kind.
The woman points to one instance of lightning among the three photographs.
Etymology
The underlying image was “standing near,” associated with presence and urgency. The related noun acquired the logical meaning “a case or example,” which developed into the general sense of something illustrating a type.
In context
So to kind of continue with my budget example, let's say, for instance, that the mayor is, you know, cutting funding from certain departments in order to increase funding for other departments.
More examples
- Some foods, for instance beans, provide plenty of fiber.
- Each instance of the program runs with its own settings.
- The report instances several cases of successful community organizing.
Forms
instance · instances · instanced · instancing
Similar words
- example
- Often emphasizes illustrating a point rather than recording an occurrence.
- case
- Often emphasizes a particular situation and its surrounding circumstances.
- occurrence
- Emphasizes something happening, not its role as an example.