Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

gambang

noun
gam·bang | \ˈgäm-ˌbäŋ \
plural gambangs

Definition of gambang 

: an Indonesian instrument like a xylophone with wooden or bamboo bars that rest on an oblong boxlike wooden resonator School children often learn basic music on instruments such as a suling, angklung or gambang.— Sally Heinrich, Key into Indonesia, 2005

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of gambang

1845, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for gambang

borrowed from Javanese, going back to Old Javanese gambaŋ

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about gambang

Dictionary Entries near gambang

Gamba bass

gambade

gambado

gambang

Gambel's quail

Gambel oak

Gambel sparrow

Statistics for gambang

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for gambang

The first known use of gambang was in 1845

See more words from the same year

Comments on gambang

What made you want to look up gambang? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

indoctrinate

to teach someone the beliefs of a group

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz

  • the-triumph-of-venus-by-alessandro-magnasco
  • Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games