I. pi ‧ an ‧ o 1 S3 /piˈænəʊ $ -noʊ/ BrE AmE noun ( plural pianos ) [countable]
[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Language: Italian ; Origin: pianoforte , from piano e forte 'quiet and loud' ]
a large musical instrument that has a long row of black and white ↑ key s . You play the piano by sitting in front of it and pressing the keys:
Jean accompanied her on the piano.
a piano lesson/teacher etc
a wonderful piano player
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ play the piano
Can you play the piano?
▪ play something on the piano
We all sang while Mum played something on the piano.
▪ learn the piano
He wanted his children to learn the piano.
▪ practise the piano British English , practice the piano American English
I would practise the piano for three or four hours a day.
▪ sit (down) at the piano
She sat down at the piano and began to play.
▪ accompany somebody on the piano (=play the piano while someone sings or plays a different instrument)
Lisa sang while George accompanied her on the piano.
■ piano + NOUN
▪ piano music
You can listen to live piano music while you dine.
▪ a piano player
▪ a piano teacher
▪ a piano lesson
I started having piano lessons.
▪ piano practice
Have you done your piano practice?
II. piano 2 BrE AmE adjective , adverb technical
played or sung quietly OPP forte