instance variable

A non-static field of a class. Each individual object of a class has its own copy of such a field. This is in contrast to a class variable which is shared by all instances of the class. Instance variables are used to model the attributes of a class.

Any item of data that is associated with a particular object. Each instance of a class has its own copy of the instance variables defined in the class. Also called a field. See also class variable.

An "attribute" of an "object"; data stored with the particular object rather than with the class as a whole.