Definition of instrument

What does the word instrument mean?

• part of speech: noun, transitive verb

  Thing used in performing an action; person so made use of; tool, implement, esp. for delicate or scientific work; (also musical i.) contrivance for producing musical sounds by vibration of strings &c. (stringed &c. ii.) or of body of air in pipe &c (wind ii.); formal, esp. legal, document; (v.t.) arrange (music) for ii. [French]