vibraphone

noun

vi·​bra·​phone ˈvī-brə-ˌfōn How to pronounce vibraphone (audio)
: a percussion instrument resembling the xylophone but having metal bars and motor-driven resonators for sustaining the tone and producing a vibrato
vibraphonist noun

Illustration of vibraphone

Illustration of vibraphone

Examples of vibraphone 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 orchestra foregrounded glistening timbres of harp, celesta, and vibraphone. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024 Deupree and composer and engineer Joseph Branciforte transform his original glitch movement classic, one that looped slightly out of sync samples, into a composition for cello, vibraphone, double bass, flute, and other acoustic instruments. Spin Team, SPIN, 28 Nov. 2024 Most notable within Jones’ theme is the use of vibraphone when set against his orchestra’s melancholy strings. A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024 The Andrew Alden Ensemble will accompany the film with live music that includes elements of classical chamber music and rock, featuring a string trio, synthesizers, percussion, piano, and vibraphone. Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vibraphone 

Word History

Etymology

vibra- (in vibration or vibrato) + -phone entry 1

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vibraphone was in 1926

Dictionary Entries Near vibraphone

Cite this Entry

“Vibraphone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vibraphone. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

vibraphone

noun
vi·​bra·​phone ˈvī-brə-ˌfōn How to pronounce vibraphone (audio)
: a musical instrument resembling the xylophone but having metal bars and devices for increasing the vibrations
vibraphonist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on vibraphone

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