instinct
noun
in·stinct
| \ ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t
\
\
Definition of instinct
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity
had an instinct for the right word
2a
: a largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without involving reason
b
: behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level
instinct
adjective
in·stinct
| \ in-ˈstiŋ(k)t
, ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t\
, ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t\
Definition of instinct (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: profoundly imbued : infused
my mood, instinct with romance— S. J. Perelman
2
obsolete
: impelled by an inner or animating or exciting agency
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Other Words from instinct
Noun
instinctual
\ in-ˈstiŋ(k)-chə-wəl
, -chəl , -shwəl , -chü-əl \
adjective
, -chəl , -shwəl , -chü-əl \
adjective
instinctually
adverb
Examples of instinct in a Sentence
Noun
Our first instinct was to run. Cats possess a natural hunting instinct. Seeing the baby aroused all her maternal instincts. He has been guided throughout his career by his political instincts. Mere instinct alerted her to the danger. He knew by instinct what not to say. She seemed to know by instinct that something was wrong. He has a strong survival instinct. an athlete with good instincts
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
That set of instincts — her preference for narrow, tactile proposals over grandly ambitious ones, her facility with procedure and unease with ideology — defines her approach to politics, according to Ms. Harris and her closest associates. — Alexander Burns, New York Times, "What Kamala Harris Believes," 27 July 2019 So there’s a lot of mother instincts in this Eternal, who is not supposed to have kids. — Devan Coggan, EW.com, "Marvel introduces The Eternals at Comic-Con with Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, and more," 20 July 2019 But the film isn’t devoid of out-there instincts, either. — Keith Phipps, The Verge, "How William Gibson’s long-lost Alien 3 script became 2019’s most intriguing audio drama," 24 June 2019 Maybe we’re born with a kind of an instinct to want to be elated. — Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, "Going Home with Wendell Berry," 29 May 2019 John is a jovial man with seemingly unlimited reserves of paternal instincts, buying sodas for friends and hosting afternoon gatherings to play a local board game. — Alec Jacobson, National Geographic, "Fishermen fight to survive on the world's second largest lake," 3 May 2019 This kind of gut instinct became a guiding compass for me at work, too. — Andrea Barrica, SELF, "How Owning My Sexuality Transformed My Career," 23 Apr. 2019 Washington needs a vision and a policy that both reassures our local allies and disciplines some of their wilder instincts. — Walter Russell Mead, WSJ, "The Three Stages of Trump’s Foreign Policy," 19 Nov. 2018 This is folks who are alleged to have taken direct action to prevent the president from carrying out some of his worst instincts or worse decisions. — Fox News, "Pence on impact of anonymous NYT op-ed, Woodward's new book," 9 Sep. 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
Mr. Hickenlooper’s denouncement could serve to highlight for Mrs. Clinton’s team his instinct to battle the rival nominee, an important role that vice-presidential candidates play for the top of the ticket. — Maggie Haberman, New York Times, "Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado Rips Donald Trump’s Reaction to Orlando Shooting," 17 June 2016These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'instinct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for instinct
instinct
noun
English Language Learners Definition of instinct
: a way of behaving, thinking, or feeling that is not learned : a natural desire or tendency that makes you want to act in a particular way
: something you know without learning it or thinking about it
: a natural ability
See the full definition for instinct in the English Language Learners Dictionary
instinct
noun
in·stinct
| \ ˈin-ˌstiŋkt
\
\
Kids Definition of instinct
1
: an act or course of action in response to a stimulus that is automatic rather than learned
It's a cat's instinct to hunt.
2
: a way of knowing something without learning or thinking about it
Her instincts told her to wait.
3
: a natural ability
He has an instinct for making money.
instinct
noun
in·stinct
| \ ˈin-ˌstiŋ(k)t
\
\
Medical Definition of instinct
1
: a largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without involving reason
2
: behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level
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