zither

noun

zith·​er ˈzi-t͟hər  -thər 

: a stringed instrument having usually 30 to 40 strings over a shallow horizontal soundboard and played with pick and fingers

zitherist

ˈzi-t͟hə-rist  -thə- 

noun

Illustration of zither

Examples of zither in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There were electric and acoustic guitars — nice ones — to borrow, as well as a drum kit and multiple zithers. —Julia Whelan Emma Kehlbeck Jeremy McLennan, New York Times, 2 May 2025

The sculpture based on a zither—an instrument with strings stretched across a flat box—is a slanted trapezoid with strings running down its back. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 May 2025

The bandura is a traditional Ukrainian stringed instrument that blends elements of the zither and the lute, according to the ESO website. —Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025

Visit favorites include the tea ceremony, hina doll display, ikebana flower arrangements, and koto (Japanese zither) performances, along with storytelling and hands-on workshops. —Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 1 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

German, from Old High German zitara, cithara, from Latin cithara cithara — more at cither

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for zither

• cither
• dither
• hither
• ither
• slither
• thither
• whither

Kids Definition

zither

noun

zith·​er ˈzit͟h-ər  ˈzith- 

: a stringed instrument with thirty to forty tuned strings that are plucked with the fingers or with a pick