1. The main cavity of the ear; between the eardrum and the inner ear
   "An infection in the tympanum caused severe ear pain";
   - middle ear, tympanic cavity
    
2. The membrane in the ear that vibrates to sound
   "Loud noises can potentially damage the tympanum";
   - eardrum, tympanic membrane, myringa
    
3. (architecture) the wall surface over an entrance or window (e.g. between the lintel and an arch), typically decorated or holding an inscription or clock
   "The church's tympanum featured an intricate stone carving"
    
4. [archaic] A large hemispherical brass or copper percussion instrument with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting the tension on it
   "The orchestra's tympanum added dramatic emphasis to the finale";
   - kettle, kettledrum, tympani, timpani

Derived forms: tympana, tympanums

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

Part of: auditory apparatus, ear, earhole [informal], lug [Brit, informal], lughole [Brit, informal]

Encyclopedia: Tympanum