To instill means to gradually establish an idea, habit, or quality in someone's mind or character over time. When parents instill honesty in their children, they teach it through repeated examples and conversations until it becomes part of how their children naturally think and act. When a coach instills discipline in her team, she helps players develop self-control and focus through consistent practice and expectations.

The word suggests a slow, steady process rather than a quick lesson. You can't instill something in five minutes. A teacher might instill a love of reading by sharing exciting books all year long. A mentor might instill confidence in a student by providing steady encouragement through many challenges.

Think of instilling like watering a plant: you add a little at a time, regularly, until growth happens naturally. When something has been successfully instilled, it becomes part of who someone is. The honesty your parents instilled doesn't feel like a rule you follow, but rather like simply being yourself.