piano

1 of 2

adverb or adjective

pi·​a·​no pē-ˈä-(ˌ)nō How to pronounce piano (audio)
: at a soft volume : soft
—used as a direction in music

piano

2 of 2

noun

pi·​ano pē-ˈa-(ˌ)nō How to pronounce piano (audio)
also
-ˈä- How to pronounce piano (audio)
plural pianos
: a musical instrument having steel wire strings that sound when struck by felt-covered hammers operated from a keyboard

Examples of piano in a Sentence

Noun Do you play the piano? He takes piano lessons on Wednesdays.
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Noun
The track opens with piano and a sparkling string arrangement while Bryan takes the first verse. — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026 Gus Ormo, a Venezuelan singer and composer known for his romantic songwriting and piano skill, was found dead face down in his backyard pool, surrounded by a long cord, Friday morning, authorities said. — Joan Murray, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 O’Rourke and double bassist Johan Berthling shape a steady drone, while Ishibashi’s piano runs suggest time-lapse footage of ice crystals forming, ordinary little bits cohering into objects of wonder. — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026 In the nearby piano bar, a baby grand owned by Mary’s grandmother that later lived in her parents’ home has a piano harp signed by the legendary operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti. — Richard A. Marini, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for piano

Word History

Etymology

Adverb or adjective

Italian, from Late Latin planus smooth, from Latin, level — more at floor

Noun

Italian, short for pianoforte, from gravicembalo col piano e forte, literally, harpsichord with soft and loud; from the fact that its tones could be varied in loudness

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

1683, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1772, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of piano was in 1683

Phrases Containing piano

Rhymes for piano

See All Rhymes for piano

Browse Nearby Words

piannet
piano
Piano
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Piano.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/piano. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

piano

1 of 2 adverb or adjective
pi·​a·​no pē-ˈän-ō How to pronounce piano (audio)
: in a soft or quiet manner
—used as a direction in music

piano

2 of 2 noun
pi·​ano pē-ˈan-ō How to pronounce piano (audio)
plural pianos
: a musical instrument consisting of a large frame holding steel wire strings that sound when struck by felt-covered hammers which are operated from a keyboard
pianist
pē-ˈan-əst, 
ˈpē-ə-nəst
noun
Etymology

Noun

from Italian piano "a keyboard musical instrument," a shortened form of pianoforte, from piano "soft" and forte "loud"; so called because, unlike earlier keyboard instruments, it could be played with varying degrees of loudness

Biographical Definition

Piano

biographical name

Pi·​a·​no pē-ˈä-(ˌ)nō How to pronounce Piano (audio)
Renzo 1937–     Italian architect

More from Merriam-Webster on piano

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about piano

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