- the characteristic quality of a sound, independent of pitch and loudness, from which its source or manner of production can be inferred. Timbre depends on the relative strengths of the components of different frequencies, which are determined by resonance.
- the characteristic quality of sound produced by a particular instrument or voice; tone color.
- characteristic tone of expression: the masterful rhythm and timbre of his writing.
- the distinctive tone quality differentiating one vowel or sonant from another
- tone colour or quality of sound, esp a specific type of tone colour
