tambourine

noun

tam·​bou·​rine ˌtam-bə-ˈrēn How to pronounce tambourine (audio)
: 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

Illustration of tambourine

Examples of tambourine 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.
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 One couple is American: songwriter/vocalist/tambourine player Diana and volatile, controlling lead guitarist Peter. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tambourine 

Word History

Etymology

Middle French tambourin, diminutive of tambour

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tambourine was in 1579

Dictionary Entries Near tambourine

tambourin

tambourine

tambourinist

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Tambourine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tambourine. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

tambourine

noun
tam·​bou·​rine ˌtam-bə-ˈrēn How to pronounce tambourine (audio)
: a shallow drum with one head and loose metal disks at the sides that is played by shaking or striking with the hand

More from Merriam-Webster on tambourine

Nglish: Translation of tambourine for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of tambourine for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tambourine

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