theremin

noun

the·​re·​min ˈther-ə-mən How to pronounce theremin (audio)
: a purely melodic electronic musical instrument typically played by moving the hands in the electromagnetic fields surrounding two projecting antennae

Examples of theremin 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.
His hands fluttered above the keyboard in a way that looks very much like someone playing a theremin, the ethereal instrument that’s played by manipulating the invisible electromagnetic fields around a pair of antennas. Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 8 Oct. 2024 Naturally, composer Guy Moon incorporated that old B-movie standby, a theremin, into the score where possible. Josh Weiss, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Infrared Reflections: Joshua Tree — Track #2 His favorite combines the drone of a theremin with spiraling arpeggios. Christopher Intagliata, NPR, 3 June 2024 By that point, the multi-instrumentalist — who can handle anything from guitar, bass, and banjo to trumpet, french horn, and theremin — had been an integral part of Wilson’s studio and road band for six years. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for theremin 

Word History

Etymology

modification of Russian termen-voks from Lev Sergeevich Termen (Léon Thérémin) †1993 Russian engineer & inventor + Latin vox voice

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of theremin was in 1927

Dictionary Entries Near theremin

Cite this Entry

“Theremin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theremin. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on theremin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!