theremin

[ ther-uh-min ]

noun

1. a musical instrument with electronic tone generation, the pitch and tone volume being controlled by the distance between the player's hands and two metal rods serving as antennas.

theremin

/ ˈθɛrəmɪn /

noun

1. an electronic musical instrument, played by moving the hands through electromagnetic fields created by two metal rods

Other Words From

• there·minist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of theremin¹

First recorded in 1925–30; named after Leo Theremin (1896–1993), Russian inventor

Word History and Origins

Origin of theremin¹

C20: named after Leon Theremin (1896-1993), Russian scientist who invented it

Example Sentences

It’s the ultimate theremin, packed with modern and old-school tech.

From TechCrunch

And then came the keyboard instruments, into the middle of which the five theremin-players had been stuck for no reason at all.

From Project Gutenberg

Those of us who were going off shift found him toying with the theremin in the mess compartment.

From Project Gutenberg