Definition of temple block
1
: a percussion instrument used in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies consisting of a hollow, slotted, ornately carved wooden block that is struck with a beater
2
: a related instrument either bulbous or boxlike in shape used in sets in Western classical and popular music
—usually used in plural
— called also Chinese block, Chinese temple block
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“Temple block.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/temple%20block. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021.
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The first known use of temple block was in 1924
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