Illustration of tambourine
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
Examples of tambourine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As the trio took the mic, Rogers, 29, could be seen playing the tambourine and sharing the mic with Springsteen and Bryan who were playing the guitar, per footage from the venue.
—
Ilana Kaplan, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
Now facing off, now mirroring, now side by side, the men conveyed a dueling energy that was periodically amped up with tambourines.
—Brian Seibert, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024
Obama and Capshaw sang backup vocals and played the tambourine alongside E Street member and Springsteen's wife, Patti Scialfa.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 31 May 2023
Aside from her gospel music, Crouch also played tambourine on songs for stars like Janis Joplin and Madonna, and provided additional vocals on tracks for hitmakers like Jackson, per AllMusic.
—Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
There were doomy, crashing chords, relentless drumming, a pounding keyboard, and some vigorous tambourine.
—Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2024
The 14-song album features work from Cobb (acoustic guitar, eclectic guitar), J.T. Cure (bass), Paul Franklin (pedal steel), Derek Mixon (drums), Morgane (background vocals, synthesizer, tambourine) and Lee Pardini (organ, piano).
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2024
The toddler can be seen hitting the tambourine as his famous parents cheer him on.
—Liza Esquibias, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024
Bust out the tambourine: Mattel has released a Stevie Nicks Barbie doll.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 2 Oct. 2023
Ilana Kaplan, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
Now facing off, now mirroring, now side by side, the men conveyed a dueling energy that was periodically amped up with tambourines.
—Brian Seibert, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024
Obama and Capshaw sang backup vocals and played the tambourine alongside E Street member and Springsteen's wife, Patti Scialfa.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 31 May 2023
Aside from her gospel music, Crouch also played tambourine on songs for stars like Janis Joplin and Madonna, and provided additional vocals on tracks for hitmakers like Jackson, per AllMusic.
—Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
There were doomy, crashing chords, relentless drumming, a pounding keyboard, and some vigorous tambourine.
—Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2024
The 14-song album features work from Cobb (acoustic guitar, eclectic guitar), J.T. Cure (bass), Paul Franklin (pedal steel), Derek Mixon (drums), Morgane (background vocals, synthesizer, tambourine) and Lee Pardini (organ, piano).
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2024
The toddler can be seen hitting the tambourine as his famous parents cheer him on.
—Liza Esquibias, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024
Bust out the tambourine: Mattel has released a Stevie Nicks Barbie doll.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 2 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tambourine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle French tambourin, diminutive of tambour
First Known Use
1579, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near tambourine
Cite this Entry
“Tambourine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tambourine. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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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
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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