Definition of "cymbal"

cymbal

/ˈsɪmbəl/

noun
plural cymbals
1. (music) A concave plate of brass or bronze that produces a sharp, ringing sound when struck: played either in pairs, by striking them together, or singly by striking with a drumstick or the like.
  Quotations
  The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries and fifes,Tabours and cymbals and the shouting Romans,Make the sun dance.
  c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act V, scene iii]
  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
  1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], 1 Corinthians 13:
  Trumpets and Drums shall fright her from the Throne,As sounding Cymbals aid the lab'ring Moon.
  1675, John Dryden, Aureng-zebe: A Tragedy. […], London: […] T[homas] N[ewcomb] for Henry Herringman, […], published 1676, Act I, page 5
  I see the Crusaders' tumultuous armies—hark, how the cymbals clang ...
  1881–82, Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, "The Mystic Trumpeter"