percussion instrument

American  

noun

1. a musical instrument, as the drum, cymbal, triangle, xylophone, or piano, that is struck to produce a sound, as distinguished from string or wind instruments.

---

percussion instrument British  

noun

1. any of various musical instruments that produce a sound when their resonating surfaces are struck directly, as with a stick or mallet, or by leverage action. They may be of definite pitch (as a kettledrum or xylophone), indefinite pitch (as a gong or rattle), or a mixture of both (as various drums)

---

Etymology

Origin of percussion instrument

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

A percussion instrument was also designed, with the drum head using the same material as the vessel's sails.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2025

A berimbau, the one-stringed percussion instrument prized in Bahia, Brazil, twangs its way through this song by Baden Powell and Vinicius de Moraes.

From New York Times • Jun. 6, 2023

They carry torches and play Islamic songs accompanied by the beat of the rebana, the Arabic handheld percussion instrument.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 21, 2023

They would weave through the cemetery with their marimbas — a percussion instrument with a warm sound, similar to a xylophone — between the elevated tombs, playing traditional Latin music.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 26, 2022

There was a leather pad called “the beat” that you’d strap to your palm, like a percussion instrument.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah