harmonium

[ hahr-moh-nee-uhm ]

/ hɑrˈmoʊ ni əm /

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noun

an organlike keyboard instrument with small metal reeds and a pair of bellows operated by the player's feet.

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Origin of harmonium

1840–50; Latinization of Greek harmónion, neuter of harmóniosharmonious

Words nearby harmonium

harmonic series, harmonic tone, harmonious, harmonist, harmonistic, harmonium, harmonization, harmonize, harmonizer, harmony, harmost

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use harmonium in a sentence

Punch-Drunk is better described as a manic lark, from the abandoned harmonium that kicks off the story to the phone-sex extortion ploy that threatens to disrupt Barry’s newfound contentment.
All of Paul Thomas Anderson's Movies, Ranked|Matthew Jacobs|November 24, 2021|Time
He was also the inventor of "Poikilorgue," an expressive organ, which was the origin of the harmonium.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller
It is accompanied by a small harmonium, played by a young lady in moderately tasteful style.
Our Churches and Chapels|Atticus
And while he spoke someone inside the house played "God Save the Queen" with one finger (incorrectly) on a harmonium.
The Relief of Mafeking|Filson Young

He sang an Offertory solo, accompanying himself on the harmonium.
My New Curate|P.A. Sheehan
My hostess played the harmonium; the potential Personage of the family led the singing.
Thirty Years in Australia|Ada Cambridge

British Dictionary definitions for harmonium

harmonium

/ (hɑːˈməʊnɪəm) /

noun

a musical keyboard instrument of the reed organ family, in which air from pedal-operated bellows causes the reeds to vibrate

Word Origin for harmonium

C19: from French, from harmonie harmony

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