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Synonyms

glockenspiel

American  
[glok-uhn-speel, -shpeel] / ˈglɒk ənˌspil, -ˌʃpil /

noun

  1. a musical instrument composed of a set of graduated steel bars mounted in a frame and struck with hammers, used especially in bands.


glockenspiel British  
/ ˈɡlɒkənˌspiːl, -ˌʃpiːl /

noun

  1. a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned metal plates played with a pair of small hammers

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of glockenspiel

1815–25; < German, equivalent to Glocken bells + Spiel play

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Explanation

A glockenspiel is a percussion instrument comprised of metal bars that are struck with a hammer. The glockenspiel is common in German music. If you listen to German music and hear a lively instrument that sounds like bells, you've probably heard a glockenspiel. This delightful percussion instrument produces its bell-like sound from metal bars struck with a small hammer. The spiel part is from German for play. The glocken part is German for bells. The glockenspiel has been around since the 1800's and is still used today, especially in Germany. A glockenspiel is similar to a xylophone.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But bells will ring out across the Netherlands at 09:00 on Tuesday, heralding the crown princess coming of age and a special composition entitled Amalia Eighteen will be performed by the Royal Glockenspiel Society.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2021

Frankenmuth’s German heritage is woven through the city, in the Bavarian Inn’s 50-foot Glockenspiel tower, in the hotel rooms named for founding families and in the Fraktur lettering everywhere.

From New York Times • Nov. 23, 2021

When he appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" last January, the host breezed through several unique baby name suggestions, including Engelbert, Harpsichord, Glockenspiel and Carl.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 1, 2015

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