any of various African boxlike musical instruments, such as the kalimba or mbira, having tuned strips of metal or wood that vibrate when played with the thumbs
Word origin
[1940–45]This word is first recorded in the period 1940–45. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: blockbuster, sealant, update, whiteout, zap
Examples of 'thumb piano' in a sentence
thumb piano
At its best, as acoustic guitar, thumb piano and cellos circled each other, the formula evoked the serenity of a gamelan orchestra.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He quickly added other instruments, including the marimbula (a type of thumb piano)and box drums, to his repertoire.