cymbal

noun

cym·​bal ˈsim-bəl 

: 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

ˈsim-bə-list 

noun

Examples of cymbal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sadler played on the Leonard High School baseball team and cymbals in the marching band. —Keith Sharon, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2024

Faster and faster, the drums beat, the cymbals clang, the women chant. —Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 June 2024

There can be a bit of shrillness up high in the cymbals on cool jazz records like Kind of Blue that have been remastered for brighter sizzle. —Parker Hall, WIRED, 27 July 2024

Praise is also warranted for drummer Deen Castronovo, who had two kick drums, several cymbals and many toms at his disposal and used all of them liberally, rightfully so. —Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2024

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

Kids Definition

cymbal

noun

cym·​bal ˈsim-bəl 

: a brass plate that is struck with a drumstick or is used in pairs struck together to make a clashing sound

cymbalist

-bə-ləst 

noun