instant: Meaning and Definition of

in•stant

1. an infinitesimal or very short space of time; a moment: They arrived not an instant too soon.
2. the point of time now present or present with reference to some action or event.
3. a particular moment: at the instant of contact.
4. a food or beverage, esp. coffee, specially processed for quick preparation.
5. the present or current month.

1. succeeding without any interval of time; prompt; immediate: instant relief from a headache.
2. pressing or urgent: instant need.
3. noting a food or beverage requiring a minimal amount of time and effort to prepare, as by heating or the addition of milk or water, before being served or used: instant coffee; instant pudding.
4. occurring, done, or prepared with a minimal amount of time and effort; produced rapidly and with little preparation: an instant book; instant answers; instant history.
5. designed to act or produce results quickly or immediately: an instant lottery.
6. of the present month:inst. Cf. proximo, ultimo. your letter of the 12th instant. Abbr.:
7. present; current: the instant case before the court.

1. instantly.