percussionist

noun

per·​cus·​sion·​ist pər-ˈkə-sh(ə-)nist How to pronounce percussionist (audio)
: one skilled in the playing of percussion instruments

Examples of percussionist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Los Gatos Library is hosting a family-friendly, participatory performance by percussionist, educator and musician Onye Onyemaechi on Thursday, Feb. 29, 4-5 p.m., that will offer a glimpse into African Village life. Debby Rice, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2024 While the wordless chorus was left out, eight percussionists (plus timpanist) were there for the grand conclusion. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2024 The opera has one performer, along with a percussionist and a cello player who interact with the performer as a child who is understood to be there but never seen, Gumbel says. Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2024 Both his older brothers, Walfredo Jr. and Daniel, followed in their father's footsteps, becoming percussionists in various bands, including Chicago and the Zac Brown Band. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 25 Dec. 2023 They are complemented by Indian tabla player Sandeep Das (also a long-time Silkroad member), Sicilian accordionist and percussionist Francesco Turrisi (who is also Giddens’ life partner), cellist Karen Ouzounian and double bassist Shawn Conley. Steve Hochman, SPIN, 20 Nov. 2023 This ensemble of percussionist Michael Jones and pianist Shaoai Ashley Zhan will perform works by Hennies, Hurel, Good and Macbride with violinist Ilana Waniuk. The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2024 There’s the dark saturated neon lighting and moody percussionist score (from Cliff Martinez). Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Dec. 2023 The five released three albums before disbanding in 1977; the band briefly launched a spinoff in 1997 called Remember Shakti and would regroup in 2020 with McLaughlin, Hussain, vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, percussionist V. Selvaganesh, and violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan. TIME, 5 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of percussionist was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near percussionist

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

percussionist

noun
per·​cus·​sion·​ist pər-ˈkəsh-(ə-)nəst How to pronounce percussionist (audio)
: a person who plays percussion instruments

More from Merriam-Webster on percussionist

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