pedal steel

noun

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Definition of pedal steel

: a box-shaped musical instrument with legs that has usually 10 strings which can be altered in pitch by the use of pedals and which are plucked while being pressed with a movable steel bar — called also pedal steel guitar

See pedal steel defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of pedal steel from the Web

Williamson, whose Facebook profile photo is a legendary, controversial Bigsby guitar, leaning on a pedal steel with a Standel Amp in the background, is looking forward to taking the Pink Hearts show on the road.

— katherine turman, Billboard, "James Williamson on His New Trio Pink Hearts & the Stooges' Legacy," 21 June 2018
The top-tier studio players on the release include Robby Turner, longtime pedal steel guitarist for the late outlaw-country icon Waylon Jennings.

— chrissie dickinson, chicagotribune.com, "Country Lakeshake bringing the best, the brightest and everybody else," 19 June 2018
Acoustic guitars, gentle vocal harmonies, pedal steel and steady-rolling beats drive the band’s music.

— john adamian, courant.com, "Wise Old Moon Album Release Show At Bridge Street Live," 5 May 2018
Venetian Snares, on electronics that include real-time processing of the pedal steel.

— New York Times, "The Playlist: Christina Aguilera’s Bizarre Puzzle, and 13 More New Songs," 4 May 2018
He's joined by longtime bandmates Val McCallum (guitar), Mauricio Lewak (Drums), Jeff Young (keyboards), Bob Glaub (bass), Alethea Mills (Vocals) and the acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Greg Leisz (guitar, lap steel, pedal steel).

— ed masley, azcentral, "Summer concerts in Phoenix: Eagles, Post Malone, Logic, Panic! at the Disco, J. Cole, Wiz Khalifa," 15 June 2018
Earlier this week, Newscaster and pedal steel player Bobby Martin were at Rubinowitz’s Springfield, Va., house practicing.

— john kelly, Washington Post, "Tex Rubinowitz is back: The ‘Hot Rod Man’ takes his music out for another spin," 16 May 2018
With mandolin legend Sam Bush, Russ Paul on pedal steel and Matt Smith on cello (of all things), the record just exudes vintage.

— chuck yarborough, cleveland.com, "John Oates, pal Daryl Hall, join Train for a night of power pop at The Q," 15 May 2018
The Revivalists on the Gentilly Stage at 3:40 p.m. - Powered by an odd pedal steel guitar, organ and sax blend, these dudes can really bring it.

— doug maccash, NOLA.com, "7 shows not to miss at Jazz Fest 2018, Saturday (May 5)," 5 May 2018

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

First Known Use of pedal steel

1965

in the meaning defined above

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PEDAL STEEL Defined for English Language Learners

pedal steel

noun

Definition of pedal steel for English Language Learners

: a musical instrument that has strings which are plucked while being pressed with a movable steel bar and a pedal that can change the pitch of the strings