Timpani vs. Kettledrum

Timpaninoun

(musical instruments) The set of precision kettledrums in an orchestra.

Timpaninoun

a large hemispherical brass or copper percussion instrument with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting the tension on it

Timpani

Timpani (; Italian pronunciation: [ˈtimpani]) or kettledrums (also informally called timps) are musical instruments in the percussion family. A type of drum categorised as a hemispherical drum, they consist of a membrane called a head stretched over a large bowl traditionally made of copper.

Kettledrumnoun

(musical instruments) A large hemispherical brass percussion instrument (one of the timpani) with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting its tension.

Kettledrumnoun

(dated) An informal social party at which a light collation is offered, held in the afternoon or early evening.

Kettledrumnoun

A drum made of thin copper in the form of a hemispherical kettle, with parchment stretched over the mouth of it.

Kettledrumnoun

An informal social party at which a light collation is offered, held in the afternoon or early evening. Cf. Drum, n., 4 and 5.

Kettledrumnoun

a large hemispherical brass or copper percussion instrument with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting the tension on it