: musical instruments (such as drums, cymbals, or xylophones) that you play by hitting or shaking
He plays percussion for the band.
The marimba is a percussion instrument.
The song features Tito Puente on percussion. [=Tito Puente plays percussion instruments for the song]
The percussion section [=the group of musicians who play percussion instruments in a band or orchestra] did a great job.
Cite this Entry
“Percussion.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/percussion. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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