Meaning & use
instantiations
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“instantiations” is a form of “instantiation”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountabletechnical
Specific, real examples or versions of a general idea, type or pattern.
Grammar: Plural of instantiation; usually followed by of: instantiations of a theory.
Patterns
- instantiations of something
- an instantiation of something
Each national law is an instantiation of the same basic principle.
The novel offers several instantiations of the hero's journey.
Researchers compared different instantiations of the model.
nouncountablecomputing
In computing, the objects or running copies created from a class or template.
Grammar: In programming, each object created from a class is an instantiation: the class has many instantiations.
Patterns
- instantiations of a class
- create instantiations
The program created three instantiations of the same class.
Each instantiation of the object holds its own data.
Multiple instantiations of the server ran in the cloud.
Word forms
| singular | instantiation |
|---|
Common combinations
- instantiations of a class
- Instantiations of a class share the same methods.
- multiple instantiations
- The test ran multiple instantiations in parallel.
- concrete instantiations
- The paper gives concrete instantiations of the abstract theory.
- separate instantiations
- Each tenant gets separate instantiations of the application.
Synonyms and how they differ
- instances
- Instances is the more common and plain word, while instantiations sounds more technical or abstract.
- embodiments
- Embodiments suggests an idea given physical or visible form, rather than a copy created from a pattern.
- examples
- Examples is the ordinary word and need not imply that the thing was created from a pattern.
- realizations
- Realizations stresses making something real, and is less tied to class-based programming.
Opposites
Word family
- instantiation noun
- the act of creating an instance, or one instance
- instantiate verb
- to create an instance of something
- instance noun
- a single example of something
- instantiated adjective
- created as a specific example
Commonly confused: instantiations or installations?
instantiations vs installations
Installations are things put in place, such as software or equipment. Instantiations are examples or copies created from a pattern.
Practice
A programmer creates five objects from the same class. These are five ___ of the class.
Choose one answer.
Objects created from a class are instantiations. Installations are things set up, interpretations are readings of meaning, and instructions are directions.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “instantiations”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.