timpani

noun

tim·​pa·​ni ˈtim-pə-nē How to pronounce timpani (audio)
variants or less commonly
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: a set of two or more kettledrums played by one performer in an orchestra or band

Examples of timpani in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Thirty minutes later, a thousand timpani rumbled through the forest. AFAR Media, 7 Aug. 2025 Even in the hellacious conditions of Greater Los Angeles, the suspension absorbs severe potholes, broken surfaces and expansion joints with little more than the sound of a muffled timpani strike. Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025 The swelling sound, produced by trumpets of all sizes plus timpani, chimes, and other percussion, made for a rather magnificent start. Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 22 July 2025 Flute cut through xylophone and percussion early as more guitar and timpani rang out later. Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for timpani

Word History

Etymology

Italian, plural of timpano kettledrum, from Latin tympanum drum — more at tympanum

First Known Use

circa 1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of timpani was circa 1854

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Timpani.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timpani. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

timpani

plural noun
tim·​pa·​ni
variants also tympani
ˈtim-pə-nē
: a set of two or three kettledrums played by one performer
timpanist
-nəst
noun

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