timpani

UK: /ˈtɪmpəni/ US: /ˈtɪmpəni/ ,(tim′pə nē)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

tim•pa•ni or tym•pa•ni /ˈtɪmpəni/  n. [plural* used with a plural verb]

1. Music and Dance a set of kettledrums, as used in an orchestra.

tim•pa•nist, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

tim•pa•ni  (tim′pə nē), n. (used with a sing. or pl. v.)

1. Music and Dance a set of kettledrums, esp. as used in an orchestra or band.

Also, tympani. 

• Greek týmpanon
• Latin tympanum
• Italian, plural of timpano kettledrum

tim′pa•nist, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

timpani, tympani / ˈtɪmpənɪ/ noun:plural

1. (sometimes functioning as singular) a set of kettledrums, two or more in number
   Often (informal) shortened to: timps

Etymology: from Italian, pl of timpano kettledrum, from Latin: tympanum

ˈtimpanist, ˈtympanist noun