celesta

American  

[suh-les-tuh] / səˈlɛs tə /

noun

1. a musical instrument consisting principally of a set of graduated steel plates struck with hammers that are activated by a keyboard.

---

celesta British  

/ sɪˈlɛst, sɪˈlɛstə /

noun

1. music a keyboard percussion instrument consisting of a set of steel plates of graduated length that are struck with key-operated hammers. The tone is an ethereal tinkling sound. Range: four octaves upwards from middle C

---

Etymology

Origin of celesta

1895–1900; < French célesta, for céleste, literally, heavenly ( see celestial); the -a for -e makes the name pseudo-Italian

Example Sentences

A pair of harps, placed antiphonally in boxes at opposite sides of the stage, plus a theorbo, offer an otherworldly descant, as do the sounds of the celesta and chimes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Bell's work leaned on his background in classical music, and he introduced instruments like the celesta, sitar, oboe, bassoon, cor anglais and bells into his rococo arrangements.

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2022

The stops are the knobs on either side — hand-carved from dark pau ferro wood — that allow the organist to replicate different instruments: oboe, flute, trumpet, celesta, etc.

From Washington Post • Feb. 7, 2022

The Green Umbrella featured Knussen’s “Ophelia Dances, Book 1,” which Tilson Thomas conducted from the celesta for its 1975 premiere by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2019

It is pianissimo, scored for very high tremolo violins, celesta bells, and harp; and I should very much like to know exactly what it means in its present position in the play.

From Shakespeare and Music by Wilson, Christopher