castanet

noun

cas·​ta·​net ˌka-stə-ˈnet How to pronounce castanet (audio)
: a percussion instrument used especially by dancers that consists of two small shells of hard wood, ivory, or plastic usually fastened to the thumb and clicked together by the other fingers
usually used in plural

Illustration of castanet

Illustration of castanet
  • castanets

Examples of castanet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web As for his toolbox, Metzger used castanets and finger cymbals because they had been used in the song instrumentation. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 Oct. 2023 Children can also experiment with a wall of castanets, play a giant wooden marimba and, just by pushing bellows, make music on a giant air organ patterned after an 1830 design by Thomas Appleton. Laurel Graeber, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023 The passionate theme begins with some bohemian guitar chords, followed by a beat of castanets merging with the surprising appearance of electric guitar, as well as percussion, güira, and bongos. Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 16 June 2023 The sea was shamelessly turquoise, the clouds feathery; the palm fronds clacked like castanets. Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 2 June 2023 The country has changed tact, however, for 2023, sending an infectious flamenco throwback which should get everyone shaking their castanets in unison. Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 9 May 2023 For the rest of the country, the Iberian fervor turned out to be briefer than a snap of castanets, and interest in Dunlap’s objects faded soon after his early death. Hernan Diaz, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Feb. 2023 Their structures were extremely variable—chaotic, almost, with castanet and rattling often absent. The Economist, 28 Nov. 2019 Jewish, Visigothic, Moorish, Italian, and French styles ooze into one another, jolted by castanets and tambourines. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 23 Nov. 2019

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

Spanish castañeta, from castaña chestnut, from Latin castanea — more at chestnut

First Known Use

circa 1647, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of castanet was circa 1647

Dictionary Entries Near castanet

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

castanet

noun
cas·​ta·​net ˌkas-tə-ˈnet How to pronounce castanet (audio)
: a rhythm instrument that consists of two small ivory, wood, or plastic shells fastened together and attached to the thumb and clicked together by the fingers
usually used in plural
Etymology

from Spanish castañeta "castanet," from castaña "chestnut"

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