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

The insect ear possesses a thin sheet of tissue, known as the tympanum, that is much like the human eardrum. —IEEE Spectrum, 22 May 2023

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

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

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

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