instrumentation

American  

[in-struh-men-tey-shuhn] / ˌɪn strə mɛnˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the arranging of music for instruments, especially for an orchestra.

2. the list of instruments for which a composition is scored.

3. the use of, or work done by, instruments.

4. instrumental agency; instrumentality.

5. the science of developing, manufacturing, and utilizing instruments, especially those used in science and industry.

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instrumentation British  

/ ˌɪnstrəmɛnˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the instruments specified in a musical score or arrangement

2. the arrangement of a piece of music for an orchestra; orchestration

3. the study of the characteristics of musical instruments

4. the use of instruments or tools

5. means; agency

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Etymology

Origin of instrumentation

1835–45; instrument (v.) + -ation

Example Sentences

Throughout their discography, Irreversible Entanglements have seamlessly incorporated electronic elements such as synthesizers and modern postproduction into many of their compositions, which primarily feature otherwise organic instrumentation and textures.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Revenue drivers could shift toward structurally growing technology domains, with networking and communications, test and measurement instrumentation and semiconductor-related equipment benefiting from hyperscale data-center expansion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

She retains the delicacy of the instrumentation, but introduces a gorgeous complexity that, in someone else’s hands, would be too much, but here, simply enhances the vocal delivery.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2026

"Without advances in technology and investment in specialized instrumentation, we would have never made this discovery."

From Science Daily • Feb. 12, 2026

So far as we've worked out it's not the electronics, refrigeration system, instrumentation, or temperature.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Related Words

• apparatus
• instrument