marimba Hear it!

marimba Definition

ma·rimba (mə rim′bə)

noun

a musical instrument somewhat like a xylophone, consisting of a series of hard wooden bars, usually with resonators beneath, struck with small mallets

Etymology: Mbundu, a percussive instrument resembling the xylophone, akin to Tshiluba madimba

marimba Usage Examples

Converse of object

play: He has also toured internationally.In addition to vibraphone; Robinson also plays marimba and saxophones.

Adjective modifier

own: They may also serve as substitute holidays, as they do for me in my own marimba in the black course kind of way.

Modifies a noun

  • concerto: In 2004 the marimba concerto, Afrika, will be performed at the Venice Biennale.
  • band: There are no tourist resorts dotting the coasts, no high rise hotels with sand volleyball courts and marimba bands.
  • music: Amid the sound of marimba music and spectacle of masked dances a smiling, drunken horse rider bit the top off a beer bottle.