theremin

[ ther-uh-min ]

noun

a musical instrument with electronic tone generation, the pitch and tone volume being controlled by the distance between the player's hands and two metal rods serving as antennas.

Origin of theremin

First recorded in 1925–30; named after Leo Theremin (1896–1993), Russian inventor

Other words from theremin

ther·e·min·ist, noun

Words Nearby theremin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use theremin in a sentence

It’s the ultimate theremin, packed with modern and old-school tech.
For the theremin’s 100th anniversary, Moog unveils the gorgeous Claravox Centennial | Devin Coldewey | October 22, 2020 | TechCrunch
And then came the keyboard instruments, into the middle of which the five theremin-players had been stuck for no reason at all.
Pagan Passions | Gordon Randall Garrett
Those of us who were going off shift found him toying with the theremin in the mess compartment.
The Stoker and the Stars | Algirdas Jonas Budrys (AKA John A. Sentry)

British Dictionary definitions for theremin

theremin

/ (ˈθɛrəmɪn) /

noun

an electronic musical instrument, played by moving the hands through electromagnetic fields created by two metal rods

Origin of theremin

C20: named after Leon Theremin (1896-1993), Russian scientist who invented it

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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