piano

1 of 2

adverb or adjective

pi·​a·​no pē-ˈä-(ˌ)nō How to pronounce piano (audio)
: at a soft volume : soft
used as a direction in music

piano

2 of 2

noun

pi·​ano pē-ˈa-(ˌ)nō How to pronounce piano (audio)
also
-ˈä- How to pronounce piano (audio)
plural pianos
: a musical instrument having steel wire strings that sound when struck by felt-covered hammers operated from a keyboard

Examples of piano in a Sentence

Noun Do you play the piano? He takes piano lessons on Wednesdays.
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.
Noun
For the mother of one, the piano, with the faces of their ancestors carved into it, is their family legacy. Ronda Racha Penrice, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2024 Downtown Maginn Lofts, in the Cultural District, is an 1891 former warehouse that housed everything from whiskey to pianos to luggage. The Week Staff, theweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Then we’re introduced to Rita, Gerald (who plays the piano), and George in their East London house. Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2024 The sound was exquisite with the balance between the vocals, piano, bass, guitar and brush drums just perfect. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for piano 

Word History

Etymology

Adverb or adjective

Italian, from Late Latin planus smooth, from Latin, level — more at floor

Noun

Italian, short for pianoforte, from gravicembalo col piano e forte, literally, harpsichord with soft and loud; from the fact that its tones could be varied in loudness

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

1683, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1772, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of piano was in 1683

Dictionary Entries Near piano

Cite this Entry

“Piano.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/piano. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

piano

1 of 2 adverb or adjective
pi·​a·​no pē-ˈän-ō How to pronounce piano (audio)
: in a soft or quiet manner
used as a direction in music

piano

2 of 2 noun
pi·​ano pē-ˈan-ō How to pronounce piano (audio)
plural pianos
: a musical instrument consisting of a large frame holding steel wire strings that sound when struck by felt-covered hammers which are operated from a keyboard
pianist
pē-ˈan-əst
ˈpē-ə-nəst
noun
Etymology

Noun

from Italian piano "a keyboard musical instrument," a shortened form of pianoforte, from piano "soft" and forte "loud"; so called because, unlike earlier keyboard instruments, it could be played with varying degrees of loudness

Biographical Definition

Piano

biographical name

Pi·​a·​no pē-ˈä-(ˌ)nō How to pronounce Piano (audio)
Renzo 1937–     Italian architect

More from Merriam-Webster on piano

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!