klezmer

noun

klez·​mer ˈklez-mər How to pronounce klezmer (audio)
plural klezmorim (ˌ)klez-ˈmȯr-əm How to pronounce klezmer (audio)
1
: a Jewish instrumentalist especially of traditional eastern European music
2
: the music played by klezmorim

Examples of klezmer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The funeral march is solemn yet persistent with buoyant klezmer moments, while the shimmering Adagietto, though beautiful, is more distressing. Gia Kourlas, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 Stratton also has a klezmer band, which played the hora. Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2023 As the live klezmer band Isle of Klezbos played, guests explored designer Susan Korn’s latest Judaica collection, all displayed on an epic centerpiece. Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 10 Nov. 2023 Nu Haven Kapelye klezmer band. Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2022 The clarinet part, played with amazing panache and suavity by FWSO principal Stanislav Chernyshev, had a freewheeling character somewhere between sultry jazz and Eastern European klezmer. Dallas News, 26 Mar. 2022 Lawrence Family Jewish Family Center: ‘LIGHT’ LITVAKdance artistic director Sadie Weinberg and klezmer-music ace Yale Strom create a new kind of winter event. San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Dec. 2022

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

Yiddish, from Hebrew kĕlēy zemer musical instruments

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of klezmer was in 1908

Dictionary Entries Near klezmer

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

klezmer

noun
klez·​mer ˈklez-mər How to pronounce klezmer (audio)
plural klezmorim klez-ˈmȯr-əm How to pronounce klezmer (audio)
1
: a Jewish instrumentalist especially of traditional eastern European music
2
: the music played by klezmorim
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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