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.

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celesta British  

/ sɪˈlɛstə, sɪˈlɛst /

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

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Etymology

Origin of celesta

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

celesta

More often, Ms. Frank deploys an unusual combination of instruments, such as piccolos and celesta, or a motif—like the short, repeated pulse that sounds like a cry—to create a dreamscape that is all her own.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 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

Feldman’s piece — scored for percussion, celesta, viola, choir and soprano — was an abstract analogue to Rothko’s canvases.

From New York Times ● Feb. 18, 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

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 Christopher Wilson

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