piano

1 of 2

adverb or adjective

pi·​a·​no pē-ˈä-(ˌ)nō 

: at a soft volume : soft

—used as a direction in music

piano

2 of 2

noun

pi·​ano pē-ˈa-(ˌ)nō 

also

-ˈä- 

plural pianos

: a musical instrument having steel wire strings that sound when struck by felt-covered hammers operated from a keyboard

Examples of piano in a Sentence

Noun

Do you play the piano?

He takes piano lessons on Wednesdays.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In December 2019, Josh posted a video of himself playing Christmas songs on the piano with his daughter and son. —Emy Lacroix, People.com, 17 May 2025

Carlisle taught himself to play the piano while in college at the University of Virginia. —David Aldridge, New York Times, 16 May 2025

Outside of journalism, Isabella enjoys reading, playing the piano, spending time outside, and caring for Max, her pet turtle. —Hannah Wise, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025

There are standard-fare drums, strings, and piano, played like a cheesy showtune for a Disneyland cafe that serves misshapen chicken nuggets. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 14 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adverb or adjective

Italian, from Late Latin planus smooth, from Latin, level — more at floor

Noun

Italian, short for pianoforte, from gravicembalo col piano e forte, literally, harpsichord with soft and loud; from the fact that its tones could be varied in loudness

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

1683, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1772, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing piano

• forte-piano
• grand piano
• mezzo piano
• piano accordion
• piano bar
• piano hinge
• player piano
• stride piano
• thumb piano
• upright piano

Rhymes for piano

• cyano

Kids Definition

piano

1 of 2 adverb or adjective

pi·​a·​no pē-ˈän-ō 

: in a soft or quiet manner

—used as a direction in music

piano

2 of 2 noun

pi·​ano pē-ˈan-ō 

plural pianos

: a musical instrument consisting of a large frame holding steel wire strings that sound when struck by felt-covered hammers which are operated from a keyboard

pianist

pē-ˈan-əst

ˈpē-ə-nəst

noun

Etymology

Noun

from Italian piano "a keyboard musical instrument," a shortened form of pianoforte, from piano "soft" and forte "loud"; so called because, unlike earlier keyboard instruments, it could be played with varying degrees of loudness

Biographical Definition

Piano

biographical name

Pi·​a·​no pē-ˈä-(ˌ)nō 

Renzo 1937–     Italian architect