strumento

instrument

noun stroo-MEHN-toh Less Common

Origin: from Latin instrumentum

Also means

tool

Usage Note

Strumento covers both a musical instrument and a practical tool or means to an end. The phrase strumento musicale specifies the musical sense, while uno strumento di lavoro means a work tool. Figuratively, someone can be uno strumento nelle mani di qualcuno ('a pawn in someone's hands').

Examples

"Suono uno strumento a corde."

Natural Translation

I play a string instrument.

Literal Translation

I-play an instrument with strings.

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