cymbal

noun

cym·​bal ˈsim-bəl How to pronounce cymbal (audio)
: 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 noun

Examples of cymbal 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.
But the soul of that album — its crashing cymbals, warm reverb and its sense of expansive solitude and melancholy — still feels tethered to that beach house in the middle of nowhere, at least to Parker. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 The high-end response on the acoustic guitar strings and cymbals is remarkable. PC Magazine, 6 May 2025 The cymbals, likely used for ritual activities, offer a rare glimpse into the region’s history and connections with the Indus Valley Civilization. Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025 Guitarist Justin Ostrander laid down a chill solo live on the first pass, and drummer Evan Hutchings added some shimmer with his cymbal work. Tom Roland, Billboard, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cymbal

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cymbal was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cymbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cymbal. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

cymbal

noun
cym·​bal ˈsim-bəl How to pronounce cymbal (audio)
: a brass plate that is struck with a drumstick or is used in pairs struck together to make a clashing sound
cymbalist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on cymbal

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