tam·bour
ˈtam-ˌbu̇r 
tam-ˈbu̇r
2
a
: an embroidery frame
especially
: a set of two interlocking hoops between which cloth is stretched before stitching
b
: embroidery made on a tambour frame
3
: a shallow metallic cup or drum with a thin elastic membrane supporting a writing lever used to transmit and register slight motions (such as arterial pulsations)
4
: a rolling top or front (as of a rolltop desk) of narrow strips of wood glued on canvas
tamboured; tambouring; tambours
: to embroider (cloth) with tambour
: to work at a tambour frame
tambourer
noun
Examples of tambour in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Since late 2020, the 23-year-old designer has been creating videos about her tambour embroidery work, a technique that affixes beads one at a time with a hooked needle.
—Sakeina Syed, Vogue, 10 Nov. 2023
Just before the final match starts, a tambour player beats out rhythms.
—Catherine Porter James Hill, New York Times, 25 July 2023
Alongside the loveseat is a tambour credenza by Peca, sourced from 1stDibs, and a textured woven artwork by Hiroko Takeda from Colony.
—Oliver Cano, ELLE Decor, 23 June 2023
So the secret to this house is tambour.
—Judy Rose, Detroit Free Press, 22 Nov. 2020
The birch-plywood closet, with tambour doors.
—Sarah Medford, WSJ, 4 Mar. 2022
Their unique materials went beyond tambour.
—Judy Rose, Detroit Free Press, 22 Nov. 2020
So many things reflect the writing life: a Renaissance Revival writing table, a small tambour George III writing desk.
—Roxana Robinson, The New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2022
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Noun
Made with American poplar solid wood, maple veneers and butcher-block solid tambour doors.
—Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Since late 2020, the 23-year-old designer has been creating videos about her tambour embroidery work, a technique that affixes beads one at a time with a hooked needle.
—Sakeina Syed, Vogue, 10 Nov. 2023
Just before the final match starts, a tambour player beats out rhythms.
—Catherine Porter James Hill, New York Times, 25 July 2023
Alongside the loveseat is a tambour credenza by Peca, sourced from 1stDibs, and a textured woven artwork by Hiroko Takeda from Colony.
—Oliver Cano, ELLE Decor, 23 June 2023
So the secret to this house is tambour.
—Judy Rose, Detroit Free Press, 22 Nov. 2020
The birch-plywood closet, with tambour doors.
—Sarah Medford, WSJ, 4 Mar. 2022
Their unique materials went beyond tambour.
—Judy Rose, Detroit Free Press, 22 Nov. 2020
So many things reflect the writing life: a Renaissance Revival writing table, a small tambour George III writing desk.
—Roxana Robinson, The New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Tambour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tambour. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
tambour
noun
tam·bour
ˈtam-ˌbu̇(ə)r, tam-ˈ
: a shallow metallic cup or drum with a thin elastic membrane supporting a writing lever used to transmit and register slight motions (as arterial pulsations and peristaltic contractions)
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