Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

kalimba

American  
[kuh-lim-buh] / kəˈlɪm bə /

noun

  1. mbira.


Etymology

Origin of kalimba

1950–55; the instrument's name in a number of Bantu languages of East Africa, e.g., Bisa, Lala (Zambia), Tumbuka, Nyanja (Malawi); cf. marimba

Compare meaning

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

They’re working with tons of instruments here: analog synths, Fender Rhodes, digitally programmed percussion, baritone guitar, saxophones, kalimba.

From New York Times ● Jun. 9, 2023

He scored the opening scenes, which paint a portrait of the vibrant, thriving Dahomey village, with African pastorale — bouncing a string orchestra along with a gentle groove on regional instruments including kalimba and kora.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 17, 2022

Here’s a kalimba, an African thumb piano with metal tines that plink like a music box.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 15, 2021

At one point you also hear a kalimba and berimbau and didgeridoo all at the same time.

From Slate ● Mar. 29, 2019

A woman in white hurries to the door, believing against all reason that she has just heard the ailing President playing a song on the kalimba.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Just like flashcards, but way more fun

Don't take our word for it. Leave the boring studying behind and join VocabTrainer today. You'll learn even faster and never look back.

Take me to Vocabulary.com