player piano

American  

noun

1. a piano that can play automatically when the keys are actuated electronically or by a pneumatic device controlled by a piano roll.

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player piano British  

noun

1. a mechanical piano; Pianola

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Etymology

Origin of player piano

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

player piano

The phonograph and the player piano together brought technological musical reproduction into the home in the early 1900s.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 14, 2026

Any piece for so many pianos is bound to call to mind Conlon Nancarrow, an American composer who wrote vastly complex music for the player piano.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2025

John Cage’s short, Satie-esque “Experiences 1” and Conlon Nancarrow’s tango-like Study No. 6, originally for player piano, then introduced John Adams’ “Hallelujah Junction.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 1, 2025

The rotating stage is dominated by a wooden swing, a player piano and, most memorably, a gigantic fish: two halves of a trout, suspended high above the actors.

From New York Times ● Mar. 27, 2023

An older man dropped a coin into the player piano, which pushed out a quick song like the kind from a carousel.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen