xylophone

xy-lo-phone · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A musical percussion instrument consisting of wooden bars of graduated length, played by striking with small hammers.

Forms

plural: xylophones

Related words

See also: instrument, marimba, percussion, vibraphone

Etymology

From Greek xylon ("wood") + phone ("sound, voice"). Coined in the 19th century when the instrument became popular in Western music.