percussionist

noun

per·​cus·​sion·​ist pər-ˈkə-sh(ə-)nist How to pronounce percussionist (audio)
Synonyms of percussionistnext
: 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.
Several people in creative fields also applied, including actors, creative directors, a percussionist and a sports videographer. Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026 Ferrall’s death was reported yesterday by her husband, the Broadway drummer and percussionist Kory Grossman, to the theater publication Playbill. Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 June 2026 The program includes the church ensemble, harpist Destiny Muhammad’s trio, and a North-meets-South Indo-jazz trio with Carnatic saxophonist Prasant Radhakrishnan and percussionist Sameer Gupta (who founded RootStock Arts). Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 28 May 2026 Carlos formed the Santana Blues Band and started gigging around town—congas and timbales entered the mix via percussionists Michael Carabello (in 1967) and José Areas (in 1969), which helped set them apart in one of America’s great rock scenes. Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 10 May 2026 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 14 Jun. 2026.

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster