cymbal

noun

cym·​bal ˈsim-bəl 

: a concave metal plate (as of brass or bronze) that produces a brilliant clashing tone and that is struck with a drumstick or is used in pairs struck glancingly together

cymbalist

ˈsim-bə-list 

noun

Examples of cymbal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The track — with its croaking guitar, cymbal smashes, and stuttering vocals — sounds nothing like Brat’s gleaming, clubby gems (or the bouncy pop-punk of her 2014 LP Sucker, for that matter). — Caryn Ganz, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2026

Turay’s glassy guitar licks have a Metheny-ish tint to them, while Bemis opts to ride quick, slinky rhythms rather than abusing his crash cymbal. — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 23 July 2026

The drummer doing a certain cymbal hit and accenting some of the dance moves and stuff like that is not planned. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 20 July 2026

Indeed, Callahan's deep, full vocal is coupled with a crisp acoustic guitar and plenty of detail from the cymbals and other percussion. — Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 8 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English cymbal & Anglo-French cymbele, from Latin cymbalum, from Greek kymbalon, from kymbē bowl, boat

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cymbal

• gimbal
• nimble
• symbol
• thimble

Kids Definition

cymbal

noun

cym·​bal ˈsim-bəl 

: a brass plate that is struck with a drumstick or is used in pairs struck together to make a clashing sound

cymbalist

-bə-ləst 

noun