instantiate

American  

[in-stan-shee-eyt] / ɪnˈstæn ʃiˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

instantiated, instantiating

1. to provide an instance of or concrete evidence in support of (a theory, concept, claim, or the like).

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instantiate British  

/ ɪnˈstænʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to represent by an instance

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Other Word Forms

• instantiation noun
• instantiative adjective

Etymology

Origin of instantiate

First recorded in 1945–50; from Medieval Latin īnstantia “example supporting a general proposition,” from Latin īnstanti-, taken as a combining form of īnstantia “presence, urgency, urgent supplication, steadfastness”; instance, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Yet, in this dance between self-preservation and conformity, they instantiate the stereotypes they’re trying to escape.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2023

What sorts of catastrophes would instantiate an existential risk?

From Salon • Aug. 20, 2022

Here, taxidermy becomes a way to instantiate our relationship to bodies—both our own and those of others.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 21, 2019

The words we see on supermarket packages both reflect and instantiate deep beliefs about the meaning of our foods—and, in particular, about how they might affect our health.

From Slate • Jun. 2, 2017

It consists of billions of computers linked together using optical fibers and copper cables that rapidly instantiate specific connections using ultrafast communication protocols.

From Scientific American • Jan. 1, 2014