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

Harpsichord and viola da gamba act as soloists as well as continuo; a modern lute song is a lullaby.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Shaw provides the other response to Bach with her new Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings, commissioned to mark BS&F’s 10th-anniversary season.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 24, 2023

Avital's big piece was his arrangement of Bach's First Harpsichord Concerto.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 9, 2017

Viktoria Mullova plays the E and A minor concertos, plus arrangements of the Concerto for Oboe, Violin and Continuo and the Harpsichord Concerto in E. At 7:30 p.m.,

From New York Times • Nov. 10, 2016

They can be found in the H�ndel "Lessons for the Harpsichord," edited by Kohler, in the Peters edition.

From The Masters and their Music A series of illustrative programs with biographical, esthetical, and critical annotations by Mathews, W. S. B. (William Smythe Babcock)