(1)工(器)具，仪器(device or tool，esp used for delicate，scientific or medical work)[C]：medical/surgical/fire-control～s医疗/外科手术/消防器械;optical/mathematical/scientific/precision～s 光学/数学/科学/精密仪器;a boring/cutting～钻孔/切削工具;～s of torture 刑具;Language is an～for communication. 语言是交际的工具。

(2)乐器(device for producing musical sounds)[C]：learn to play an～学习演奏一种乐器;a brass/percussion/stringed/wind/woodwind～铜管/打击/弦/管/木管乐器;musical～s 乐器;

(3)仪表(device used for making measurements of speed，height，sound，etc)[C]：a panel of～s (an～panel)仪表盘;a flow～流量计;a ship's/plane's～s 轮船/飞机仪表;

(4)手段;受利用的人(means;person used by another to bring sth about)[C] ：Reading is one of the chief～s of study. 阅读是学习的一种主要手段。a second～of communication 辅助的交际手段;an～for the formation of character 陶冶性情的手段;He was used as an～in the crime. 他被利用为犯罪的工具。

(5)正式(尤指法律上的)文件(formal document，esp legal)[C]：draw up/exchange/sign all the necessary～(the～s for the ratification of the treaty)制订/交换/签署一切必需的文件(条约批准书);sign the～of abdication 签署退位文件;

→͵instru′mental adj 有帮助的，起作用的;乐器的;͵instru′mentalist n 器乐家;in͵stru-men′tality n 工具，手段;͵instrumen′tation n 乐器演奏的谱曲，检测仪器(表)，手段;

【辨异】instrument与apparatus、appliance、device、machine和tool的区别见APPARATUS。