cymbal

noun

cym·​bal ˈsim-bəl 

: a concave metal plate (as of brass or bronze) that produces a brilliant clashing tone and that is struck with a drumstick or is used in pairs struck glancingly together

cymbalist

ˈsim-bə-list 

noun

Examples of cymbal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Here, everything from the driving kick drum to Callahan's rich vocals to the sparkling cymbals in the high end is reproduced clearly. —PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024

The Elizabethan Revival building was erected as a birthday present for the family’s 16-year-old daughter and has a stage at the end of a 75-foot-long, half-timber-style hall heated by a massive stone fireplace and presided over by a pipe organ and gargoyles playing cymbals and drums. —Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 13 Aug. 2024

Similarly, the three included cymbal pads benefit from honeycomb rubber, mesh and venting as well. —New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2024

Singer Gibby Haynes squirted flammable liquid on a cymbal, set it ablaze, and kept smashing the cymbal with a drumstick—flames shot up to the ceiling! —Simon Reynolds, Pitchfork, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English cymbal & Anglo-French cymbele, from Latin cymbalum, from Greek kymbalon, from kymbē bowl, boat

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cymbal

noun

cym·​bal ˈsim-bəl 

: a brass plate that is struck with a drumstick or is used in pairs struck together to make a clashing sound

cymbalist

-bə-ləst 

noun