tambourine

noun

tam·​bou·​rine ˌtam-bə-ˈrēn 

: a small drum

especially : a shallow one-headed drum with loose metallic disks at the sides played especially by shaking or striking with the hand

Illustration of tambourine

Examples of tambourine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The song was accentuated with a handheld xylophone, maracas, tambourine and hand clappers, making for a playful rendition of the beloved pop classic. —Marina Watts, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024

Its logo was a couple of dancing turtles, one playing a banjo and the other a tambourine. —Paul Liberatore, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024

Carpenter played the tambourine for the performance, an instrumentalist! —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2024

Saturday night in New Lenox, Starr handled drums and vocals on the standout track opposite Gregg Bissonette, with dueling percussion driving the performance as Ham chipped in via tambourine. —Jim Ryan, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French tambourin, diminutive of tambour

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tambourine

noun

tam·​bou·​rine ˌtam-bə-ˈrēn 

: a shallow drum with one head and loose metal disks at the sides that is played by shaking or striking with the hand