membranophone

American

[mem-brey-nuh-fohn] / mɛmˈbreɪ nəˌfoʊn /

noun

any musical instrument, as a drum, in which the sound is produced by striking, rubbing, or blowing against a membrane stretched over a frame.

Other Word Forms

membranophonic adjective

Etymology

Origin of membranophone

First recorded in 1935–40; membrane + -o- + -phone

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.

To find out more about these abilities, we gave captive orangutans at the Indianapolis Zoo the opportunity to play a membranophone — a class of musical instrument that includes the kazoo.

From Washington Post

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023