theremin

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noun the·re·min \ ˈther-ə-mən \

Definition of theremin

:a purely melodic electronic musical instrument typically played by moving the hands in the electromagnetic fields surrounding two projecting antennae

Recent Examples of theremin from the Web

Kalmar employed a musical saw, which gave just the right subtle color -- similar to that of a theremin - to help break from the stentorian pounding of the first and third movements.

— alan g. artner, chicagotribune.com, "Carlos Kalmar creates a crowd-pleaser at Grant Park," 24 June 2017
The 16-year-old artist, who has spent the last few years focusing on her music career, is taking a break from calibrating her theremin to prepare a handful of fantasy projects, according to Amanda N’Duka of Deadline.

— rebecca keegan, VanityFair.com, "Kathryn Bigelow Is Back and She Wants to Get Us Talking," 12 Apr. 2017
The 16-year-old artist, who has spent the last few years focusing on her music career, is taking a break from calibrating her theremin to prepare a handful of fantasy projects, according to Amanda N’Duka of Deadline.

— vanityfair.com, VanityFair.com, "Kathryn Bigelow Is Back and She Wants to Get Us Talking," 12 Apr. 2017
Don’t be surprised if the musicians bring out whips, congas or a theremin if it’s called for.

— randy mcmullen, The Mercury News, "Black Choreographers Festival returns with passion and politics," 8 Feb. 2017
For more than a decade, Hearst and One Ring Zero co-founder and multi-instrumentalist Joshua Camp have served up multidisciplinary music using theremins, accordions, claviolas, toy pianos, Jones-o-phones and other unusual instruments.

— scott thill, WIRED, "One Ring Zero Reboots Holst’s Planets, Keeps Pluto in Mix," 3 Sep. 2010

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'theremin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.