Question

instrumental His mother had been instrumental in starting the new arts program at the school, for which she was honored at the spring ceremony. ˌɪnstrəˈmɛnəl

Accepted Answer

(1) Acting as a means, agent, or tool. (2) Relating to an instrument, especially a musical instrument. An instrument is a tool, something used to construct. It's often a tool for making music. A musical saw happens to be a carpenter's tool that can be played with a violin bow (though you probably wouldn't want to play a wrench or a pair of pliers). The musical meanings of instrumental, as in “It starts with an instrumental piece” or “a jazz instrumental,” are common. But the meanings “helpful,” “useful,” and “essential,” as in “He was instrumental in getting my book published,” are just as common

word	instrumental
definition	(1) Acting as a means, agent, or tool. (2) Relating to an instrument, especially a musical instrument.
eg_sentence	His mother had been instrumental in starting the new arts program at the school, for which she was honored at the spring ceremony.
explanation	An instrument is a tool, something used to construct. It's often a tool for making music. A musical saw happens to be a carpenter's tool that can be played with a violin bow (though you probably wouldn't want to play a wrench or a pair of pliers). The musical meanings of instrumental, as in “It starts with an instrumental piece” or “a jazz instrumental,” are common. But the meanings “helpful,” “useful,” and “essential,” as in “He was instrumental in getting my book published,” are just as common
IPA	ˌɪnstrəˈmɛnəl

Instrumental Musical Tool Meanings Acting Means Agent Relating