1. The main cavity of the ear; between the eardrum and the inner ear
   - middle ear, tympanic cavity 
2. The membrane in the ear that vibrates to sound
   - eardrum, tympanic membrane, myringa 
3. A large hemispherical brass or copper percussion instrument with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting the tension on it
   - kettle, kettledrum, tympani, timpani

Derived forms: tympanums, tympana

See also: tympanic, tympanist

Type of: bodily cavity, cavity, cavum, membrane, percussion instrument, percussive instrument, tissue layer

Part of: auditory apparatus, ear

Encyclopedia: Tympanum

• boughed
• boughless
• boughten
• bougie
• bouillabaisse
• bouillon
• bouillon cube
• boulder
• boulder clay
• boulder fern
• bouldered
• bouldering
• bouldery
• boule
• boulevard
• boulevardier
• bouleversement
• Boulez
• boulle
• bounce
• bounce back
• bounce out
• bounced check
• bounced cheque
• bouncer