noun
    
    plural -stances
    
    [count] :an example of a particular type of action or situation :an occasion of something happening
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    for instance
    
    as an example :for example
    
    
    
    
    
    in the first instance
    
    formal :before other events happen :as the first thing in a series of actions