cymbal

noun

cym·​bal ˈsim-bəl How to pronounce cymbal (audio)
: 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 noun

Examples of cymbal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Echoing the raw feelings of heartbreak, the album is stripped back, with sparse snares and cymbals in lieu of a full drumkit. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2025 One of my favorite bits of trivia about the film is that the movie had to have the toy monkey playing a snare drum, as the concept of a toy monkey slamming cymbals together is owned by Disney. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025 Throbbing and thumping bass frequencies, which are harder to tame than higher frequencies like splashy cymbals and twangy guitars, will typically degrade the audio quality in smaller rooms. Parker Hall, WIRED, 30 Jan. 2025 No dance is complete without the accompanying sound of drums, cymbals and gongs. Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cymbal

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cymbal was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cymbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cymbal. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

cymbal

noun
cym·​bal ˈsim-bəl How to pronounce cymbal (audio)
: a brass plate that is struck with a drumstick or is used in pairs struck together to make a clashing sound
cymbalist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on cymbal

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