1. (noun)kettle, kettledrum, tympanum, tympani, timpani a large hemispherical brass or copper percussion instrument with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting the tension on it Synonyms: kettle hole, tympanum, kettleful, timpani, boiler, middle ear, tympanic cavity, myringa, tympani, eardrum, tympanic membrane, kettledrum, kettle