cymbal

[ sim-buhl ]

noun

1. a concave plate of brass or bronze that produces a sharp, ringing sound when struck: played either in pairs, by being struck together, or singly, by being struck with a drumstick or the like.

cymbal

/ ˈsɪmbəl /

noun

1. a percussion instrument of indefinite pitch consisting of a thin circular piece of brass, which vibrates when clashed together with another cymbal or struck with a stick

cymbal

1. A large, round metal plate used as a percussion instrument. Cymbals can be crashed together in pairs or struck singly with a drumstick, and they are used in dance bands, jazz bands, and orchestras .

Derived Forms

• ˈcymbal-ˌlike, adjective
• ˈcymbaler, noun

Other Words From

• cymbal·er cymbal·eer cymbal·ist noun
• cymbal·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cymbal¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English cymbal, cymbala, from Old French cymbale, cymble , and from Medieval Latin cymbalum, from Latin, from Greek kýmbalon, derivative of kýmbos, kýmbē “hollow vessel, cup”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cymbal¹

Old English cymbala, from Medieval Latin, from Latin cymbalum, from Greek kumbalon, from kumbē something hollow

Example Sentences

His jaw dropped and his body tensed in wild anticipation of uncompromised joy as he watched his buddies perform, followed by a cymbal crash of a cheer, the sound of eternal youth.

From Los Angeles Times

Band members say they try to embrace the multiple meanings one can draw from a word in the language in its sound, whether through the driving drums and cymbals or the synthesizer backing the guitars.

From Seattle Times

The thunderous drums and cymbals that announce the beginning and end of movements.

From Los Angeles Times

The recent cuts on his knuckles came because he was drumming so aggressively that his skin kept scraping his cymbals.

From Los Angeles Times

He grabbed the cymbal with his left hand, struck a syncopated beat with his right, stuck out his tongue and rocked to the rhythm while playing.

From Seattle Times