noun
- a medieval woodwind instrument with a double reed and a loud, penetrating tone
Usage: historical; musical
Examples
- The shawm was a popular instrument in medieval European music.
- Musicians played shawms during the Renaissance festival.
- The loud, nasal sound of the shawm could be heard across the courtyard.
- Ancient shawms were often made of wood with metal bells.
- The oboe evolved from earlier instruments like the shawm.
- Street performers used shawms to accompany their dances.