carillon

noun

car·​il·​lon ˈker-ə-ˌlän How to pronounce carillon (audio)
-lən,
ˈka-rə-;
ˈker-ē-ˌän,
-ˌōn,
ˈka-rē-;
kə-ˈril-yən
1
a
: a set of fixed chromatically tuned bells sounded by hammers controlled from a keyboard
b
: an electronic instrument imitating a carillon
2
: a composition for the carillon

Examples of carillon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The singing tower, the centerpiece of the gardens, offers a rare chance to hear a carillon in action. 17 of 26 Blowing Rocks Preserve Conkel considers Blowing Rocks Preserve, located in quiet Hobe Sound, a hidden gem of Florida. Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2023 Any of the decks or the widow’s walk are excellent bird-watching platforms or a perch from which to hear the 57-bell carillon from St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Apr. 2023 The carillon concerts happen rain or shine. courant.com, 18 June 2021 The carillon isn’t just a workout for the legs. Washington Post, 11 May 2022 Although interested visitors can learn more about the songwriter at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, which features a museum and a 97-bell carillon tower. Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, 28 Feb. 2021 Large wooden keys stick out from the carillon’s keyboard. Washington Post, 11 May 2022 It’s fitted with a grande sonnerie, a four-gong mechanism that sounds the hours, quarters and minutes using a Westminster chime, which reproduces the historic Westminster carillon of Big Ben, at the British parliament building in London. Carol Besler, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2022 The reopening of the tower is good news for city carillonneur Tim Sleep, who is beginning to line musicians for summer carillon concerts. Suzanne Baker, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'carillon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, alteration of Old French quarregnon, modification of Late Latin quaternion-, quaternio set of four — more at quaternion

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of carillon was in 1775

Dictionary Entries Near carillon

Cite this Entry

“Carillon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carillon. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

carillon

noun
car·​il·​lon ˈkar-ə-ˌlän How to pronounce carillon (audio)
-lən
: a set of bells sounded by hammers controlled from a keyboard

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