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 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 Elsewhere, the hiss of a rain stick underlines footage of atmospheric rivers, and a plodding glockenspiel trails animal migration patterns. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 12 May 2023 It is scored for a flutist who also plays alto flute and piccolo, a pianist doubling on celesta, and a percussionist playing glockenspiel, vibraphone, tubular bells, and marimba. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2023 The musical ensemble will include a string quartet, clarinets, marimba, timpani and glockenspiel. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2023 Yay, there’s a glockenspiel! Jackson Weimer, Forbes, 9 Nov. 2021 Each telescope is assigned its own musical instrument: glockenspiel for Chandra, strings for Hubble and piano for Spitzer. Dan Falk, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Mar. 2023 The glockenspiel, the celesta, the glass harmonica, the piano, the fender piano, the electric bass. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 3 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glockenspiel.' 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

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

Dictionary Entries Near glockenspiel

Cite this Entry

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

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"

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