What does instantiation mean?
Instantiation is the process of making an abstract idea, category, plan, or design into a particular example or concrete form. It can describe the act of presenting a theory through a specific case, as in a project that is an instantiation of a broader design philosophy. The term also has a well-established technical use in computing: the creation of a concrete object from a class or template, often called an object instance. The word is more formal than everyday alternatives such as “example” or “realization,” but it usefully emphasizes both action and result. A writer might say that a novel is an instantiation of a particular literary tradition, while a programmer may describe creating an object from a class as its instantiation.
The act of producing a particular instance or example, especially the act of representing an abstract idea or plan in a concrete form.
"The building is a practical instantiation of the architects' theory."
Formal; common in academic, technical, and design contexts.
The creation of a concrete object from a class, template, or other abstract description.
"The program performs the instantiation of a network connection when the user starts it."
A technical computing term, usually used with object, class, or template.
Used when referring to multiple examples, realizations, or created objects.
"The course provides several instantiations of the same underlying design problem."
In programming, instantiation turns a blueprint into a working object.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does instantiation come from?
Instantiation comes through English instantiation, which was formed from instantiate and the Latin instantia, meaning “instance,” “example,” or “present circumstance.” The Latin root instans means “present” or “existing at the moment.” The family also includes instant, instantiate, and instantaneous, all reflecting the idea of something present, immediate, or occurring as a definite example.
Related word forms
How instantiation is actually used
The word is relatively formal and technical. In general use, it often means the bringing of an abstract idea or model into a particular, concrete form; in computing, it has a precise technical meaning.
Easily confused with instantiation
An instance is an existing particular example, whereas instantiation is the process of creating or representing one.