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harmonica

noun
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har·​mon·​i·​ca | \ här-ˈmä-ni-kə How to pronounce harmonica (audio) \

Definition of harmonica

1 : glass harmonica
2 : a small rectangular wind instrument with free reeds recessed in air slots from which tones are sounded by exhaling and inhaling
Other Words from harmonica Example Sentences Learn More about harmonica

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Other Words from harmonica

harmonicist \ här-​ˈmä-​nə-​sist How to pronounce harmonica (audio) \ noun

Examples of harmonica in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Former New York Yankees infielder Phil Linz, a Baltimore native who knocked a Game 7 home run off Bob Gibson in the 1964 World Series but made even more noise by hitting a few sour notes on his harmonica, has died. — Ben Walker, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore native and ex-Yankee Phil Linz, key player in ’64 harmonica flap, dies at 81," 12 Dec. 2020 Later, under much more relaxed circumstances, Linz broke out the harmonica with Berra. — Ben Walker, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore native and ex-Yankee Phil Linz, key player in ’64 harmonica flap, dies at 81," 12 Dec. 2020 The project, credited to Dane Clark and the Backroom Boys, features guest harmonica and guitar contributions by Lovin’ Spoonful founder John Sebastian. — David Lindquist, The Indianapolis Star, "New Indiana podcast will go behind the music with members of E Street Band, Kiss," 25 Nov. 2020 The side alcove into their house greets visitors with a skeleton playing a harmonica, tombstones and a ghoul rising through a table. — cleveland, "Decorated Halloween yards are ‘bone’ to be wild: Olmsted Dates and Data," 26 Oct. 2020 Glover, who died in June 2019 at age 79, befriended in 1960 the Dinkytown hanger-on from Hibbing and helped teach him harmonica and Woody Guthrie tunes. — Chris Riemenschneider, Star Tribune, "Minnesota legend and Dylan friend Tony Glover's 'extraordinary time machine' is up for auction," 10 Nov. 2020 The sound that comes out resembles the baby child of a harmonica and an accordion. — Matt Jancer, Wired, "17 Gifts Ideas for Musicians of All Skill Levels," 2 Nov. 2020 Music director Felton Offard contributes sharp guitar riffs and bluesy harmonica chords as a one-man backup band, separated from Butler by a plexiglass partition. — Washington Post, "Arena Stage returns to live performances with an outdoor production of the rousing ‘Fannie Lou Hamer, Speak on It!’," 30 Oct. 2020 Born in Swansea, South Wales, in 1939, Davis began playing harmonica and accordion as a child. — Jem Aswad, chicagotribune.com, "Spencer Davis, veteran British rocker known for ‘Gimme Some Lovin’,′ dead at 81," 20 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'harmonica.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of harmonica

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for harmonica

Italian armonica, feminine of armonico harmonious

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Time Traveler for harmonica

Time Traveler

The first known use of harmonica was in 1762

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Statistics for harmonica

Last Updated

7 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Harmonica.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmonica. Accessed 26 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for harmonica

harmonica

noun
How to pronounce harmonica (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of harmonica

: a small musical instrument that is played with your mouth

See the full definition for harmonica in the English Language Learners Dictionary

harmonica

noun
har·​mon·​i·​ca | \ här-ˈmä-ni-kə How to pronounce harmonica (audio) \

Kids Definition of harmonica

: a small musical instrument held in the hand and played by the mouth

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More from Merriam-Webster on harmonica

Nglish: Translation of harmonica for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of harmonica for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about harmonica

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