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

The player piano and the phonograph not only introduced recorded music to a mass audience, they also prepared the way for machines to become integrated into musical creation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

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

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

Inspired by the player piano in Mr. Sidner’s office, the project, she said, explores “music as craft.”

From New York Times • Sep. 2, 2021

The diamonds of the backgammon board undulated like player piano keys.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides