- a case or occurrence of anything: fresh instances of oppression.
- an example put forth in proof or illustration: to cite a few instances.
- (in an online multiplayer video game) a zone, as a dungeon, to which access is limited to a player or group of players entering simultaneously and working together: each instance is one copy of the zone in which the quests, enemies, items, events, etc., are staged exclusively for the player or group accessing it, without interference from other player characters in the larger online population of the game server.
- the institution and prosecution of a case.
- urgency in speech or action.
- an impelling motive.
- to cite as an instance or example.
- to exemplify by an instance.
- (in an online multiplayer video game) to design (a zone) as a set of identical copies, staged exclusively for the player or group accessing it, without interference from the larger population of the game server, thereby presenting key narrative elements or achievements in a controlled environment: The game developers instanced a winter wonderland with special quests for the holiday event.
- to cite an instance.
- at the urging or suggestion of: He applied for the assistantship at the instance of his professor.
- as an example; for example: If you were to go to Italy, for instance, you would get a different perspective on our culture.
- a case or particular example
- for or as an example
- a specified stage in proceedings; step (in the phrases in the first, second, etc, instance)
- urgent request or demand (esp in the phrase at the instance of)
- logic
- an expression derived from another by instantiation
- See substitution (def. 4b)
- motive or reason
- to cite as an example
