Piano

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /piˈænoÊŠ/
• UK IPA: /piˈænəʊ/

• US IPA: /piˈɑnoÊŠ/
• UK IPA: /piˈɑːnəʊ/

Origin

Short form of pianoforte, from Italian piano ("soft") + forte ("strong"). So named because older keyboard instruments, notably the harpsichord and the clavier, could not produce varied volumes.

Full definition of piano

Noun

1. (musical instruments) A keyboard musical instrument, usually ranging over seven octaves, with white and black keys, played by pressing these keys, causing hammers to strike strings.The piano in his house takes up a lot of space.She has been taking lessons for many years and now plays piano very well.He can play "Happy Birthday" on the piano.Most of the works by Frédéric Chopin are for the piano.

Synonyms

• pianoforte dated

Coordinate terms

• (keyboard instrument) cembalo, clavier, fortepiano, harpsichord, organ, synthesizer, synth

Derived terms

Adjective

1. (music) Soft, quiet.
2. In extended use; quiet, subdued.
• 1977, John Le Carré, The Honourable Schoolboy, Folio Society 2010, p. 160:‘Tradecraft, Chris,’ Enderby put in, who liked his bit of jargon, and Martindale, still piano, shot him a glance of admiration.

Adverb

1. (music) Softly, as a musical direction (abbreviated to p. in sheet music). from 17th c.

Related terms

• mezzo piano
• mp
• pianissimo
• pp