An installment is one part of something larger that's delivered or paid over time, rather than all at once. When you read a book series, each individual book is an installment in the larger story. When someone buys a car but can't pay the full price immediately, they might make monthly installment payments, paying a portion each month until the total is covered.

Think of how a TV show releases one episode at a time: each episode is an installment of the season. Charles Dickens famously published his novels in installments in magazines, with readers eagerly awaiting each new chapter.

In finance, buying something on installment means agreeing to pay for it gradually over time instead of paying the full amount upfront. A family might buy furniture on installment, paying $100 per month for a year instead of $1,200 all at once. This makes expensive purchases more manageable, though buyers usually pay extra in interest for the convenience.

You might also hear someone say “the next installment” when referring to the upcoming part of anything released in sequence, whether it's a movie sequel, a magazine series, or the next chapter of an exciting story.