marimba

[ muh-rim-buh ]
/ məˈrɪm bə /

noun

a musical instrument, originating in Africa but popularized and modified in Central America, consisting of a set of graduated wooden bars, often with resonators beneath to reinforce the sound, struck with mallets.

Origin of marimba

1695–1705; < Portuguese < Kimbundu or a related Bantu language; akin to kalimba

Example sentences from the Web for marimba

British Dictionary definitions for marimba

marimba
/ (məˈrɪmbə) /

noun

a Latin American percussion instrument consisting of a set of hardwood plates placed over tuned metal resonators, played with two soft-headed sticks in each hand

Word Origin for marimba

C18: of West African origin