instrument panel

[ in-struh-muhnt pan-l ]

noun

1. Also called instrument board. a panel on which are mounted an array of dials, lights, and gauges that monitor the performance of a machine or device, as an airplane.
2. Automotive. dashboard ( def 1 ).

instrument panel

noun

1. a panel on which instruments are mounted, as on a car See also dashboard
2. an array of instruments, gauges, etc, mounted to display the condition or performance of a machine or process

Word History and Origins

Origin of instrument panel¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Tesla is recalling more than 2 million U.S. vehicles because some warning lights on the instrument panel are too small.

From Los Angeles Times

“Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash,” the agency said in the notice.

From New York Times

The switches have been carefully designed to fall within any 737 pilot’s habitual scan of the instrument panel.

From Seattle Times

The plane slammed into the water at about 50 mph, causing Ross to hit his face on the flight instrument panel.

From Seattle Times

It shows the pilots air traffic in their vicinity in a display on the instrument panel.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• dashboard