vibraphone

noun

vi·​bra·​phone ˈvī-brə-ˌfōn How to pronounce vibraphone (audio)
: a percussion instrument resembling the xylophone but having metal bars and motor-driven resonators for sustaining the tone and producing a vibrato
vibraphonist noun

Illustration of vibraphone

Illustration of vibraphone

Examples of vibraphone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The gist stays the same: Chuck (vibraphone) and Robert (piano) Redd lead a team of musicians, including Lenny Robinson (drummer), James King (bass) and several vocalists, in a free afternoon of seasonal favorites. Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 21 Dec. 2023 Between the Buttons, however, is a fetchingly bespoke potpourri of pop styles, its sound largely shaped by Jones jumping around the studio laying down overdubs of dulcimer, kazoo, tuba, recorder, accordion, and vibraphone. Al Shipley, SPIN, 17 Oct. 2023 In addition to the alto saxophone, Hamilton plays the bass clarinet, drums, flute, piano, tenor and soprano saxophone and vibraphone. Xander Zellner, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2023 Written by Johnny Mandel and Paul Francis Webster, with strong bossa nova influences, the song’s arrangement ripples around Gilberto with little instrumental flourishes — strings, flutes, piano, vibraphone — but Gilberto’s voice maintains its serene wistfulness. Jon Pareles, New York Times, 6 June 2023 It is scored for a flutist who also plays alto flute and piccolo, a pianist doubling on celesta, and a percussionist playing glockenspiel, vibraphone, tubular bells, and marimba. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2023 Richter then turned to the master of musical mesmerism for the movie’s soundtrack, to be performed live by a 14-player chamber ensemble of strings, winds and pairs of vibraphones and pianos. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2023 Caroline Shaw’s Taxidermy (2012), which calls for vibraphone, marimba and an assortment of flower pots, displayed a similar interest in nontraditional sounds. Tim Diovanni, Dallas News, 27 May 2021 Rising vibraphone star Ross will finally make his San Diego headlining debut, which was pushed back two years by the pandemic. San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vibraphone.' 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

vibra- (in vibration or vibrato) + -phone entry 1

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vibraphone was in 1926

Dictionary Entries Near vibraphone

Cite this Entry

“Vibraphone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vibraphone. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vibraphone

noun
vi·​bra·​phone ˈvī-brə-ˌfōn How to pronounce vibraphone (audio)
: a musical instrument resembling the xylophone but having metal bars and devices for increasing the vibrations
vibraphonist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on vibraphone

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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