a particular situation, event, or fact, especially an example of something that happens generally

There have been several instances of violence at the school. 学校里发生过几起暴力事件。

I don't usually side with the management, but in this instance I agree with what they're saying. 我通常并不站在资方一边，但在这件事情上我同意他们所说的。

for instanceidiom B1 例如

to give something as an example

She argued the need for legal reform and instanced several recent cases with grossly unfair verdicts. 她极力说明有必要进行司法改革，并引证了最近出现的几起非常不公平的判例。