glockenspiel

noun

glock·​en·​spiel ˈglä-kən-ˌshpēl How to pronounce glockenspiel (audio)
-ˌspēl
: a percussion instrument consisting of a series of graduated metal bars tuned to the chromatic scale and played with two hammers

Illustration of glockenspiel

Illustration of glockenspiel

Examples of glockenspiel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
He’s manifested these through violin, piccolo, glockenspiel, and rumbling percussion suggestive of rolling surf, lighting strikes, and thunder. — Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025 The use of odd sounds, ranging from cloud-chamber bowls to a glockenspiel. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2024 Trumpets spread out around the auditorium; bass notes in the orchestra rose as if from profound depths; enticing melodies came out of nowhere, and piccolos and glockenspiels imagined a wondrous twinkling of night light on Disney’s steel, were the Music Center ever to properly light the building. — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2023 In addition to the beer, there’s an art tent, plenty of German food, warm pretzels, cigars, wiener races, a glockenspiel, tribute bands, sand sculptures and many other activities. — Marc Bona, cleveland, 2 Sep. 2023 See All Example Sentences for glockenspiel

Word History

Etymology

German, from Glocke bell + Spiel play

First Known Use

circa 1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glockenspiel was circa 1825

Rhymes for glockenspiel

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Browse Nearby Words

glock
glockenspiel
glode
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Cite this Entry

“Glockenspiel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glockenspiel. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

glockenspiel

noun
glock·​en·​spiel ˈgläk-ən-ˌshpēl How to pronounce glockenspiel (audio)
-ˌspēl
: a portable musical instrument consisting of a series of metal bars played with two hammers
Etymology

German, from Glocke "bell" and Spiel "play"

More from Merriam-Webster on glockenspiel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about glockenspiel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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