Definition of "instant" in Englisch

noun

1. A very short period of time; a moment.

   • She paused for only an instant, which was just enough time for John to change the subject.

2. A single, usually precise, point in time.

   • The instant the alarm went off, he fled the building.

3. A beverage or food which has been pre-processed to reduce preparation time, especially instant coffee.

4. Ellipsis of instant camera.

adjective

1. (dated) Impending; imminent.

2. (dated) Urgent; pressing; acute.

3. (dated) Insistent; persistent.

   • January 2, 1827, Thomas Carlyle, letter to Mrs. Carlyle, Scotsbrig I am beginning to be very instant for some sort of occupation.

4. (law) Present; current; extant.

   • He received just two disciplinary reports prior to committing the instant offense, one in March 2019 for activating an alarm during a non-emergency situation, and one in May 2019 for failing to provide a urine specimen.

5. Occurring immediately; immediate; present.

6. Lasting for a short moment; momentary; short-lived.

7. Very quickly and easily prepared.

   • instant coffee; instant noodles; instant mashed potato; instant photo

8. (dated) Of the current month.

   • I refer to your letter of the 16th instant in regard to traffic disruption.

adverb

1. (poetic) At once; immediately.

verb

1. (obsolete, transitive) To urge, press (someone); to insist on, demand (something).