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

The actress was seen beaming and throwing up her arm while posing for a group photo that included Manolo, who held a tambourine featuring a photo of his mother's face. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026

Suzanne Crough played Tracy, the youngest Partridge sibling and the group's resident tambourine player. — Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026

The diamond grid of the shutters serves as the frame, splitting the photo itself into parts, while tiny cymbals have been placed underneath the wood, turning the work into a massive tambourine. — Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026

Eve Get your tambourines ready because Ruff Ryders ‘ First Lady has arrived. — Malik Davis, VIBE.com, 17 June 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