percussion instrument

noun

: a musical instrument (such as a drum, xylophone, or maraca) sounded by striking, shaking, or scraping

Examples of percussion instrument in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Along with typical orchestral instruments like the violin and cello were traditional Arabic instruments, like the oud, the zither-like qanun, and the daf, a percussion instrument made of leather stretched over a circular frame, creating a grand spectacle. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 4 Dec. 2024 In the show, a trio of wordless performers, bald and blue-skinned, turn all manner of tubes, drums and other devices into percussion instruments and pull off eye-popping stunts with marshmallows, paint and Cap’n Crunch cereal. Doug George, Chicago Tribune, 22 Nov. 2024 Musicians coped with a byzantine backstage area that felt like a cramped obstacle course, with percussion instruments piled in a corner. Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2024 Take five minutes to discover the varied, explosive, resonant sounds of percussion instruments, whether struck, shaken, pounded or scratched. Joshua Barone, New York Times, 11 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for percussion instrument 

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of percussion instrument was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near percussion instrument

Cite this Entry

“Percussion instrument.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/percussion%20instrument. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

percussion instrument

noun
: a musical instrument (as a drum, cymbal, or maraca) sounded by striking or shaking compare brass instrument, stringed instrument, woodwind

More from Merriam-Webster on percussion instrument

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