instrumental Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective relating to or designed for or performed on musical instruments
    • instrumental compositions
    • an instrumental ensemble
  2. adjective satellite serving or acting as a means or aid
    subservient; implemental.
    • instrumental in solving the crime

WordNet

In`stru*men"tal adjective
Etymology
Cf. F. instrumental.
Definitions
  1. Acting as an instrument; serving as a means; contributing to promote; conductive; helpful; serviceable; as, he was instrumental in conducting the business.
    The head is not more native to the heart, The hand more instrumental to the mouth. Shak.
  2. (Mus.) Pertaining to, made by, or prepared for, an instrument, esp. a musical instrument; as, instrumental music, distinguished from vocal music. "He defended the use of instrumental music in public worship." Macaulay.
    Sweet voices mix'd with instrumental sounds. Dryden.
  3. (Gram.) Applied to a case expressing means or agency; as, the instrumental case. This is found in Sanskrit as a separate case, but in Greek it was merged into the dative, and in Latin into the ablative. In Old English it was a separate case, but has disappeared, leaving only a few anomalous forms.

Webster 1913