WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
cas•ta•net /ˌkæstəˈnɛt/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Music and DanceUsually, castanets. [plural] a small musical instrument made up of two shells of wood held in the palm of the hand and clicked together to accompany dancing.
cas•ta•net
(kas′tə net′),USA pronunciation n.
- Music and Danceeither of a pair of concave pieces of wood held in the palm of the hand and clicked together, usually to accompany dancing.
- Latin castanea) + -eta diminutive suffix; see -et, -ette
- Spanish castañeta, equivalent. to castañ(a) chestnut (
- 1640–50
'castanet' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):