timpani

noun plural but singular or plural in construction tim·pa·ni \ˈtim-pə-nē\

music : a set of two or three large drums (called kettledrums) that are played by one performer in an orchestra

Full Definition of TIMPANI

: a set of two or more kettledrums played by one performer in an orchestra or band

tim·pa·ni also tym·pa·ni \ˈtim-pə-nē\

Italian, plural of timpano kettledrum, from Latin tympanum drum — more at tympanum

First Known Use: circa 1854

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