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