tympanum

noun

tym·​pa·​num ˈtim-pə-nəm 

plural tympana ˈtim-pə-nə  also tympanums

1

a(1)

: tympanic membrane

(2)

: middle ear

b

: a thin tense membrane covering an organ of hearing of an insect see insect illustration

c

: a membranous resonator in a sound-producing organ

2

a

: the recessed usually triangular face of a pediment within the frame made by the upper and lower cornices

b

: the space within an arch and above a lintel or a subordinate arch

Illustration of tympanum

• 1 tympanum 2a

Examples of tympanum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Though the original statues are gone from the Renwick Gallery, its exterior tympanum features one distinctive relic of the building’s past: a round medallion with a bronze relief profile portrait of William Corcoran. —Samantha Baskind, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025

That Any Traveler Will Appreciate By Paris Wilson A tympanum decorating the gate at St Anne’s Cathedral. —Timothy O'Grady, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2024

Although an insect’s tympanum is typically a millimeter or so wide, insects are capable of feats of hearing that currently require devices much larger in size. —IEEE Spectrum, 22 May 2023

This was topped by a tympanum containing a pedimental scene of metallurgists, farmers and muses. —James Verini, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2022

Over the door is a stone tympanum adorned with the image of an open book, hinting at the building’s former life. —Mike Scott, NOLA.com, 12 Aug. 2020

This is the tympanum, or more evocatively, the eardrum. —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 15 Nov. 2012

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin, eardrum, from Latin, drum, architectural panel, from Greek tympanon drum, kettledrum; perhaps akin to Greek typtein to beat

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Kids Definition

tympanum

noun

tym·​pa·​num ˈtim-pə-nəm 

plural tympana -nə  also tympanums

1

: eardrum

2

: a thin membrane of an insect covering an organ of hearing and transmitting vibrations produced by sound waves to it

Medical Definition

tympanum

noun

tym·​pa·​num ˈtim-pə-nəm 

plural tympana -nə  also tympanums

1

: tympanic membrane

2

: middle ear