zither

noun

zith·​er ˈzi-t͟hər How to pronounce zither (audio) -thər How to pronounce zither (audio)
: a stringed instrument having usually 30 to 40 strings over a shallow horizontal soundboard and played with pick and fingers
zitherist
ˈzi-t͟hə-rist How to pronounce zither (audio) -thə- How to pronounce zither (audio)
noun

Illustration of zither

Illustration of zither

Examples of zither 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.
We were drawn to Laraaji’s organic droning on zither. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025 There were electric and acoustic guitars — nice ones — to borrow, as well as a drum kit and multiple zithers. — Julia Whelan Emma Kehlbeck Jeremy McLennan, New York Times, 2 May 2025 The monks, all old men, prostrate themselves in unison with the congregation, while a band of musicians makes a whining cacophony with their zithers in the background. — Hanya Yanagihara, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2022 Indeed, there are few Indonesian traces in East Africa besides some musical instruments like the xylophone and the zither and the Indonesian crops discussed earlier. — Jared Diamond, Discover Magazine, 17 Apr. 2023 See All Example Sentences for zither

Word History

Etymology

German, from Old High German zitara, cithara, from Latin cithara cithara — more at cither

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zither was in 1831

Rhymes for zither

See All Rhymes for zither

Browse Nearby Words

zit
zither
zitherist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

zither

noun
zith·​er ˈzit͟h-ər How to pronounce zither (audio) ˈzith- How to pronounce zither (audio)
: a stringed instrument with thirty to forty tuned strings that are plucked with the fingers or with a pick

More from Merriam-Webster on zither

Nglish: Translation of zither for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about zither

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