Reading Theme:
Installment: Definition, Usage & Common Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：partial payment over time (installment)
installment
/ɪnˈstɔːlmənt/
n.
A part of a total amount of money that you pay for something over a period of time, instead of paying all at once.
partial payment over time
➕
/ˈpɑːrʃəl ˈpeɪmənt ˈoʊvər taɪm/
n.
A portion of a total cost paid periodically instead of all at once.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From 'install' (to place) + '-ment' (noun suffix), meaning a placed part.
💡 Mnemonic
Install means to set up; an installment is a set-up part, like a payment or episode.
📖 Example
I bought the new laptop on an installment plan, so I pay a small amount every month for the next year.
I purchased the new laptop using a payment plan, making small monthly payments for the next year.
🔗 Collocations
installment plan – a payment schedule dividing cost into parts over time
monthly installment – a payment made each month as part of a plan
pay in installments – to make payments over time in portions
🔄 Synonyms
payment (n.) – a sum of money given as part of a transaction
instalment (n.) – alternative spelling, same meaning
portion (n.) – a part of a whole amount
🚫 Antonyms
lump sum (n.) – a single payment made at one time
full payment (n.) – complete payment made immediately
🌱 Derivatives
install (v.) – to set or place in position
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Old French 'estalement', related to 'install' meaning to set in place. Common in modern finance for payment plans and in media for serialized content.
Meaning 2：episode or part of a series (installment)
installment
/ɪnˈstɔːlmənt/
n.
One part of a story, TV show, or movie series that is released or published separately over time.
episode or part of a series
➕
/ˈepɪsoʊd ɔːr pɑːrt əv ə ˈsɪəriːz/
n.
A single released segment of a serialized story, show, or movie.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The latest installment of the superhero movie series broke box office records on its opening weekend.
The newest part of the superhero movie series set a record for ticket sales on its first weekend.
🔗 Collocations
latest installment – the most recent part of a series
movie installment – a part of a film series
serial installment – a segment of a serialized story
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
whole series (n.) – the complete set of parts together
full story (n.) – the entire narrative without segmentation
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser