harpsichord

American  

[hahrp-si-kawrd] / ˈhɑrp sɪˌkɔrd /

noun

1. a keyboard instrument, precursor of the piano, in which the strings are plucked by leather or quill points connected with the keys, in common use from the 16th to the 18th century, and revived in the 20th.

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harpsichord British  

/ ˈhɑːpsɪˌkɔːd /

noun

1. a horizontally strung stringed keyboard instrument, triangular in shape, consisting usually of two manuals controlling various sets of strings plucked by pivoted plectrums mounted on jacks. Some harpsichords have a pedal keyboard and stops by which the tone colour may be varied

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harpsichord Cultural  

1. A stringed keyboard instrument much used in the baroque era in music. The keys of a harpsichord move small devices that pluck the strings; the strings are not struck with hammers, as in a piano. Thus, although harpsichords often look much like pianos, their characteristic tinkly sound is unlike that of the piano, and a harpsichordist cannot change the volume of the sound by striking the keys harder, as a pianist can.

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Other Word Forms

• harpsichordist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of harpsichord

First recorded in 1605–15, harpsichord is from the New Latin word harpichordium (with intrusive -s- of obscure origin). See harp, -i-, chord ¹

Compare meaning

How does harpsichord compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• clavichord vs. harpsichord

Explanation

A harpsichord is a musical instrument that looks like a piano but has a noticeably different tone. The harpsichord was very popular in the 17th and 18th centuries. Mozart, Haydn, and Bach all wrote many compositions specifically for harpsichord. In the 19th century, the piano became the instrument of choice and the harpsichord fell out of favor. Although both instruments are played by pressing keys on keyboards, a piano has strings that are struck with a small hammer when a note is played, while a harpsichord's strings are plucked. Harpsichord comes from Latin roots harpa, "harp," and chorda, "string."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

harpsichord

Wanda Landowska, who was hugely influential in reviving the harpsichord as a concert instrument, was once asked about her approach to making music.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 24, 2026

The use of the harp stood out, as did the harpsichord for Manon’s apotheosis as a courtesan in Act 3 and an organ for the church of St. Sulpice.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 17, 2026

The annual “Evolution” concert launched two years ago with a performance tracing the history of keyboards through harpsichord, piano and synthesizer.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 17, 2023

Hodges attended elementary school at Christ Church Cathedral School in Oxford, where he took lessons on the viola, the oboe, the harpsichord and the organ, in addition to the piano.

From New York Times ● Aug. 7, 2023

The oldest surviving complete harpsichord dates from 1521 and is Italian, the sophistication of its mechanism suggesting that the techniques for making harpsichords were already extremely well advanced by then.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall