tablature

noun

tab·​la·​ture ˈta-blə-ˌchu̇r How to pronounce tablature (audio)
-chər,
-ˌtyu̇r,
-ˌtu̇r
: an instrumental notation indicating the string, fret, key, or finger to be used instead of the tone to be sounded

Examples of tablature in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Along with tracking dozens of websites that updated in real time, players had to solve lute tablature puzzles, decode messages written in Base64, reconstruct 3D models of island chains that spelled out messages, and gather clues from newspaper and TV adverts across the US. WIRED, 21 Sep. 2022 Smith also offered some of the earliest—and useful—guitar tablature. Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 1 Nov. 2019 At the same time, the market has been expanded by startups, like Yousician, which posts step-by-step video tutorials of tablature for bedroom guitarists and local bands looking to learn how to play popular songs. Steve Knopper, Billboard, 3 June 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tablature.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Medieval Latin tabulatus tablet, from Latin tabula

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tablature was in 1574

Dictionary Entries Near tablature

Cite this Entry

“Tablature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tablature. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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