plectrum

American  

[plek-truhm] / ˈplɛk trəm /

noun

plectra, plural plectrums plural

1. a small piece of plastic, metal, ivory, etc., for plucking the strings of a guitar, lyre, mandolin, etc.

2. Anatomy, Zoology. an anatomical part resembling a plectrum in shape.

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plectrum British  

/ ˈplɛktrəm /

noun

1. any implement for plucking a string, such as a small piece of plastic, wood, etc, used to strum a guitar, or the quill that plucks the string of a harpsichord

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• plectra
  plural
• plectrums
  plural

Etymology

Origin of plectrum

1620–30; < Latin plēctrum < Greek plêktron

Example Sentences

“There were certain songs on the guitar I just couldn’t play, and my plectrum was getting stuck in the strings, so that was a bit of a red flag,” he says.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2024

He abandoned a plectrum for direct contact with the strings, ensuring that every note was distinct, different and mattered.

From Salon • Jan. 15, 2023

The art studio of the latest rock star to trade in the plectrum for the paintbrush is not in the most starry of locations.

From The Guardian • Nov. 4, 2018

Instead, we have a lot of percussion and plectrum, or plucking, instruments, including a zither, partly to give it a central European feeling.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2015

I picked up a plectrum we kept on a nearby cabinet and plucked at the strings.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu