percussionist

noun

per·​cus·​sion·​ist pər-ˈkə-sh(ə-)nist How to pronounce percussionist (audio)
: one skilled in the playing of percussion instruments

Examples of percussionist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Last Farewell Tour’s lineup will feature founding keyboardist Bill Payne, alongside guitarists Fred Tackett and Scott Sharrard, bassist Kenny Gradney, percussionist Sam Clayton, and drummer Tony Leone. Walden Green, Pitchfork, 13 Nov. 2025 By then, Byrne has been joined onstage by the rest of Talking Heads, as well as Weir, Worrell, the percussionist Steve Scales, and the vocalists Lynn Mabry and Ednah Holt. Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025 They were joined by drummer and percussionist Chris Vatalaro — a Selway collaborator who’s played with Imogen Heap, Anohni and the Johnsons, Jarvis Cocker, and more — who has seemingly taken over for Portishead’s Clive Deamer, their previous live drummer. Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025 Actor Bill Murray performed as a singer and percussionist at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium on October 22. Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for percussionist

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of percussionist was in 1938

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Percussionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/percussionist. Accessed 23 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

percussionist

noun
per·​cus·​sion·​ist pər-ˈkəsh-(ə-)nəst How to pronounce percussionist (audio)
: a person who plays percussion instruments

More from Merriam-Webster on percussionist

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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