klezmer

noun

klez·​mer ˈklez-mər How to pronounce klezmer (audio)
plural klezmorim (ˌ)klez-ˈmȯr-əm How to pronounce klezmer (audio)
1
: a Jewish instrumentalist especially of traditional eastern European music
2
: the music played by klezmorim

Examples of klezmer 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.
The joyous, buoyant sounds of klezmer music will ring out for hours this weekend in midtown Detroit when Michigan’s first klezmer festival is held. Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 11 Sep. 2024 The moment the clarinet introduces the klezmer theme, everybody knows exactly what Mahler’s trying to say. Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2024 The funeral march is solemn yet persistent with buoyant klezmer moments, while the shimmering Adagietto, though beautiful, is more distressing. Gia Kourlas, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 Stratton also has a klezmer band, which played the hora. Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for klezmer 

Word History

Etymology

Yiddish, from Hebrew kĕlēy zemer musical instruments

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of klezmer was in 1908

Dictionary Entries Near klezmer

Cite this Entry

“Klezmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/klezmer. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

klezmer

noun
klez·​mer ˈklez-mər How to pronounce klezmer (audio)
plural klezmorim klez-ˈmȯr-əm How to pronounce klezmer (audio)
1
: a Jewish instrumentalist especially of traditional eastern European music
2
: the music played by klezmorim
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!