Definition of "gamelan" [gamelan]

• An Indonesian orchestra composed mainly of tuned percussion instruments such as bamboo xylophones, wooden or metal chimes, and gongs. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Western keyboard and hammered instruments have go from low to high as you move to the right — I believe the xylophone-like instruments in gamelan orchestras are like this too — which means that the more technically difficult lines are more often played with the right hand."
• "And it's wonderful because the gamelan is like a microcosm of how the Balinese live."
• "A gamelan is a musical instrument from Indonesia - typically from the islands of Bali or Java - featuring a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums and gongs, bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings."