timpani

noun

tim·​pa·​ni ˈtim-pə-nē How to pronounce timpani (audio)
variants or less commonly tympani
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: a set of two or more kettledrums played by one performer in an orchestra or band

Examples of timpani 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.
Thirty minutes later, a thousand timpani rumbled through the forest. AFAR Media, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for timpani

Word History

Etymology

Italian, plural of timpano kettledrum, from Latin tympanum drum — more at tympanum

First Known Use

circa 1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of timpani was circa 1854

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Timpani.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timpani. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

timpani

plural noun
tim·​pa·​ni
variants also tympani
ˈtim-pə-nē
: a set of two or three kettledrums played by one performer
timpanist
-nəst
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on timpani

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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