pianist

American  

[pee-an-ist, pyan-, pee-uh-nist] / piˈæn ɪst, ˈpyæn-, ˈpi ə nɪst /

noun

1. a person who plays the piano, especially one who performs expertly or professionally.

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pianist British  

/ ˈpɪənɪst /

noun

1. a person who plays the piano

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Etymology

Origin of pianist

1830–40; < French pianiste < Italian pianista. See piano ¹, -ist

Example Sentences

On a dreary February afternoon in Chinatown, Ben Lovett, pianist and keyboardist of the British folk-rock group Mumford & Sons, was hours away from releasing his band’s sixth album, “Prizefighter.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026

Ari Agalopol, a decorated pianist and piano teacher, saw her performances and classes abruptly come to a halt in 2012 after a car accident resulted in severe spinal and knee injuries.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

Sedaka, an accomplished pianist, became a star in his own right in the early 1960s, with pop hits including "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do."

From Barron's • Feb. 28, 2026

Sedaka, a skilled pianist nominated for five Grammy awards, also wrote hits for several other famous musicians in his six-decades-long career.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

The more intimate gatherings are typically accompanied by Chandresh’s personal pianist, a beautiful young woman who plays continuously throughout the entire evening and never speaks a word to anyone.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern