vibraphone

noun

vi·​bra·​phone ˈvī-brə-ˌfōn How to pronounce vibraphone (audio)
: a percussion instrument resembling the xylophone but having metal bars and motor-driven resonators for sustaining the tone and producing a vibrato
vibraphonist
ˈvī-brə-ˌfō-nist How to pronounce vibraphone (audio)
noun

Illustration of vibraphone

Illustration of vibraphone

Examples of vibraphone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This version used two marimbas, two vibraphones, tuned metal pipes, a glockenspiel, piano and synthesizer. — Lisa Hirsch, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Feb. 2026 Redd, an international performer on drums and vibraphone, hosted the center's Christmas Jazz Jam for many years. — Kristin Wright, NPR, 27 Dec. 2025 The San Jose native was 19 years old and attending the summer program Jazz Camp West for the first time, looking to gain guidance on the vibraphone. — Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 25 June 2025 The drummer and vibraphone player, who has toured with famed jazz musicians, has hosted the annual holiday concerts since 2006, per AP. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 27 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vibraphone

Word History

Etymology

vibra- (in vibration or vibrato) + -phone entry 1

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vibraphone was in 1926

Rhymes for vibraphone

See All Rhymes for vibraphone

Browse Nearby Words

vibrantly
vibraphone
vibraphonist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vibraphone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vibraphone. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vibraphone

noun
vi·​bra·​phone ˈvī-brə-ˌfōn How to pronounce vibraphone (audio)
: a musical instrument resembling the xylophone but having metal bars and devices for increasing the vibrations
vibraphonist
-ˌfō-nəst How to pronounce vibraphone (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on vibraphone

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vibraphone

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