Showing results for percussionist. Search instead for Percussion+Music.

percussionist

American

[per-kuhsh-uh-nist] / pərˈkʌʃ ə nɪst /

noun

a musician who plays percussion instruments.

percussionist British

/ pəˈkʌʃənɪst /

noun

music a person who plays any of several percussion instruments, esp in an orchestra

"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 percussionist

First recorded in 1810–20; percussion + -ist

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.

Drummer Charlie Watts, the group’s newest member, a jazz aficionado and an accomplished percussionist, propelled the music forward with a rock-solid beat.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

Prior to them, jazz percussionist Chuck Redd called off a Christmas Eve gig he had hosted annually since 2006 at the centre over the name change.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2026

I started as a percussionist when I was very young.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

In the decade since, Mr. McCraven has become something of a star, as a percussionist, producer and sonic collagist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 21, 2025

The percussionist from the orchestra launches into a drumroll.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023