timbre

American  

[tam-ber, tim-, tan-br^uh] / ˈtæm bər, ˈtɪm-, ˈtɛ̃ brə /

noun

1. Acoustics, Phonetics. the characteristic quality of a sound, independent of pitch and loudness, from which its source or manner of production can be inferred. Timbre depends on the relative strengths of the components of different frequencies, which are determined by resonance.

2. Music. the characteristic quality of sound produced by a particular instrument or voice; tone color.

3. characteristic tone of expression.

   the masterful rhythm and timbre of his writing.

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timbre British  

/ ˈtæmbə, tɛ̃brə, ˈtɪmbə /

noun

1. phonetics the distinctive tone quality differentiating one vowel or sonant from another

2. music tone colour or quality of sound, esp a specific type of tone colour

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Etymology

Origin of timbre

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English tymbre, from Middle French “clapperless bell, bell rung by a hammer,” from Old French “small drum, drum,” from Latin tympanum “timbrel, drum,” from Greek týmpanon “timbrel, kettledrum, drum”

Example Sentences

Led by the subject matter, he started singing more, his dewy-eyed timbre adding emotional depth to the fragmented, impressionistic soundscapes.

From BBC

Building her voice was no less challenging, especially when it came to tone and timbre.

From The Wall Street Journal

She repeats this claim with each painting, sometimes with a quasireligious timbre.

From The Wall Street Journal

For Mr. Lopatin, associations of timbre with history and memory are the essence of his art.

From The Wall Street Journal

For those in the cabin, the V12 retains the same gorgeous timbre and temper—maybe a little bit angrier.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• accent
• inflection
• intonation
• overtone
• resonance
• tonality