instead Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adverb in place of, or as an alternative to
    alternatively; or else.
    • Felix became a herpetologist instead
    • alternatively we could buy a used car
  2. adverb on the contrary; rather (or instead), he wrote her a letter"
    rather.
    • rather than disappoint the children, he did two quick tricks before he left
    • he didn't call
    • used English terms instead of Latin ones

WordNet

In*stead" adverb
Etymology
Pref. in- + stead place.
Definitions
  1. In the place or room; -- usually followed by of.
    Let thistles grow of wheat. Job xxxi. 40.
    Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab. 2 Sam. xvii. 25.
  2. Equivalent; equal to; -- usually with of. R.
    This very consideration to a wise man is instead of a thousand arguments, to satisfy him, that in those times no such thing was believed. Tillotson.

Webster 1913