rhizoverbBeta
DictionarypianoKeyboard instrument
noun

piano

pee-AN-oh/piˈænəʊ/

A keyboard instrument whose strings are struck by hammers.

The black grand piano has a raised lid and visible strings.

A black acoustic grand piano with lid raised revealing strings and hammers, keyboard clearly visible, isolated on white ground, no brand or lettering.
Etymology
pianoLatinflat, smooth; later soft

Latin planus shifted from “flat, smooth” to “soft.” Piano shortens a name meaning “soft and loud,” referring to the instrument’s ability to vary loudness.

In context

Theology of the Body Institute2:24
anybody without any training um you know can walk up to a a piano keyboard and just bang on it
Chastity Like You've Never Heard It. (What Is True Chastity?)

More examples

  • She practices the piano for twenty minutes every morning.
  • This old piano needs tuning before the concert.
  • The movers carefully wheel two pianos into the music room.

Forms

piano · pianos

pianist noun — A person who plays the piano.

Similar words

grand piano
A piano with horizontal strings and a wing-shaped body.
upright piano
A piano with vertical strings in a compact, upright case.