noun
- plural of shawm; medieval woodwind instruments with double reeds and conical bores, predecessors to the oboe
Usage: musical instrument; historical
Examples
- The medieval ensemble featured shawms and other period instruments.
- Shawms were commonly used in outdoor ceremonies during the Renaissance.
- The loud, penetrating sound of shawms could be heard across the courtyard.
- Musicians played shawms to accompany the royal procession.
- The collection included several well-preserved shawms from the 15th century.
- Shawms were often paired with drums in medieval military bands.