WordGarden.ioinstantiation
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˌɪnˌstænʃiˈeɪʃən/
Meanings
Noun
the creation of a concrete software object from a class or template
a concrete example or realization of an abstract idea, type, or pattern
the substitution of specific terms or values into a formal rule or schema
Beyond the definition
Instantiation sounds complicated, but it usually means taking a general idea, pattern, or design and turning it into one specific example. Think of a blueprint becoming an actual house, or a general kind of thing becoming one real case. It is common in computer science, where you might have a "class" of objects, and each object created from that class is one instantiation. In everyday use, it often means giving a clear, concrete form to something that started as an idea.
If your friend describes their ideal vacation, the actual trip they finally book and take can be seen as an instantiation of that idea. It is about moving from the general to the specific.
Instantiation refers to the act of creating a specific instance or example of something abstract, general, or conceptual. It means taking an idea, plan, design, model, or category and giving it one concrete form. Think of it like this: you have the general concept of "dog"—four legs, fur, barking. But Fido, your golden retriever, is an instantiation of that concept; he is one specific, real-world example.
The term is especially common in computer science and object-oriented programming. A "class" defines the features of an object, such as "car" with wheels, an engine, and a color. When you create a specific car with those features, you instantiate that class. Each individual car created from the "car" class is a separate instantiation.
However, instantiation is not limited to tech. It can apply to any situation where something general becomes a particular example. A chef might have an idea for a new dish, and the actual meal placed in front of you is an instantiation of that idea. A writer may have a character in mind, but when that character appears in a story with specific traits and actions, the idea has been instantiated. In short, instantiation is the process of turning something general or planned into one actual case.
Examples
- 1
Programming templates
The program creates a new instantiation of the template for each customer.
- 2
UI components
In this design, every button is an instantiation of the same basic component.
- 3
Product version
The first instantiation of the service was simple, but later versions added more features.
- 4
Architecture
The museum treats the building as a concrete instantiation of modernist ideas.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- implementation
- exemplification
- object creation
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- class instantiation
- object instantiation
- concrete instantiation
- instantiation of a class
Word family
- instantiate
- instantiated
Explore
- type-token distinction
- class and object
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- instantiationnoun