tambourine

noun

tam·​bou·​rine ˌtam-bə-ˈrēn 

: a small drum

especially : a shallow one-headed drum with loose metallic disks at the sides played especially by shaking or striking with the hand

Illustration of tambourine

Examples of tambourine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This studio feels comfortable, if professional, with a bright yellow tambourine and thick coils of cords. —Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 11 May 2026

There were accordions and tambourines, and a giant fir tree that, one year, toppled under its own weight. —Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026

The percussion does a lot of the heavy lifting, as Skye’s lofty falsetto is paired with slinky tambourines and a pounding kick drum. —Cameron Cook, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026

The programs are considered Community Sings, so audience participation is encouraged, especially with handheld percussion instruments — think tambourines and maracas — or with songs. —Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French tambourin, diminutive of tambour

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tambourine

• acridine
• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene

Kids Definition

tambourine

noun

tam·​bou·​rine ˌtam-bə-ˈrēn 

: a shallow drum with one head and loose metal disks at the sides that is played by shaking or striking with the hand