tim·pa·ni
| \ ˈtim-pə-nē
\
\
variants:
or less commonly tympani
Definition of timpani
: a set of two or more kettledrums played by one performer in an orchestra or band
Examples of timpani in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Its introduction was gorgeous, with a clarinet solo from Hudgins twisting and floating above quiet timpani thunder. — Zoë Madonna, BostonGlobe.com, "Boston Symphony Orchestra keeps it nostalgic with Avner Dorman premiere at Tanglewood," 5 Aug. 2019 The work featured timpani, vibraphone and a variety of more obscure instruments and percussive effects. — Matt Schudel, Washington Post, "Michael Colgrass, composer who used humor and headstands to win listeners, dies at 87," 6 July 2019 The program includes Silverstre Revueltas, La noche de los Mayas, and two works by Philip Glass, Days and Nights in Rocinha and Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists and Orchestra (featuring Jim Atwood and Paul Yancich on timpani). — Sue Strachan, NOLA.com, "Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra supporters celebrate at kick-off party before appearance at Carnegie Hall," 26 Feb. 2018 The soundtrack of the WWE Performance Center is the thump of human bodies against canvas mats, like a timpani drum being smacked with a shovel. — Jon Tayler, SI.com, "Million Dollar Moves: After His Unlikely Baseball Career Flamed Out, Rinku Singh's Next Stop Is WWE," 3 July 2018 Antonini cued principal David Herbert to let rip the roar of timpani that gives the Haydn symphony its nickname. — John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Avi Avital's brilliant debut highlights lively, engaging CSO program," 8 June 2018 Piccolo and timpani contributed to a hard-hitting storm. — Zachary Lewis, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Orchestra keeps the flame burning as 'The Prometheus Project' continues (review)," 14 May 2018 Willie will be using small percussion and vibes and timpani. — Jesse Hamlin, San Francisco Chronicle, "Galaxy of avant-garde sounds will play off planetary drawings," 25 Apr. 2018 What followed was a tour de force, a Rondo that swung wildly between unbridled zeal and ultimate refinement, all the way down to the last measures, when even the faintest of taps on the timpani made a deep impression. — Zachary Lewis, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Orchestra heats up Severance Hall on snowy night with Beethoven, Elgar (review)," 2 Mar. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'timpani.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for timpani
timpani
noun
English Language Learners Definition of timpani
music
: a set of two or three large drums (called kettledrums) that are played by one performer in an orchestra
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