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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
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
Accompanied by a gamelan (orchestra) of percussion instruments, the art form immerses audiences in rich narratives that can last all night.
—Karen Gardiner, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2023
Magix bundles a massive 47 Vita virtual instruments that include seven plucked and bowed strings, 22 percussion instruments, nine synthesizers, five keyboards, and more.
—PCMAG, 30 Apr. 2024
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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 24 Nov. 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
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about percussion instrument
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