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

When a spotlight cast their shadows against the screen, viewers could make out the vague silhouettes of drums, cymbals, and tambourines, merged to form what looked like a hybrid creature. —Hung Duong, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026

Aykroyd is on guitar, with Curtis playing a tambourine as Culkin took on the drums and Griffine Dunne played the keyboard. —Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025

All things mini, from charcuterie boards to teacup-sized tambourines, are trending. —Kristen Kidd, Denver Post, 26 Nov. 2025

Moreira is a defining voice in jazz percussion, proficient at instruments ranging from the tambourine to the bongos. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French tambourin, diminutive of tambour

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tambourine

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

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