1. A musical instrument with a manual keyboard actuating hammers that strike wire strings, producing sounds that may be softened or sustained by means of pedals.
2. in a soft or quiet tone. used chiefly as a direction.
3. A passage to be played softly or quietly.

1. A keyboard musical instrument, usually ranging over seven octaves, with white and black keys, played by pressing these keys, causing hammers to strike strings.
2. soft, quiet.
3. in extended use; quiet, subdued.

1. soft; -- a direction to the performer to execute a certain passage softly, and with diminished volume of tone. (abbrev. p.)
2. A well-known musical instrument somewhat resembling the harpsichord, and consisting of a series of wires of graduated length, thickness, and tension, struck by hammers moved by keys.

1. in music, soft; with little force or loudness: opposed to forte. usually abbreviated p.
2. softly; in a low tone or voice. abbreviated p.
3. A passage or series of notes sung or played softly; a soft or gentle tone.
4. A pianoforte.
5. in italian, a story; a floor; the french étage: in english, used only in such borrowed phrases as piano nobile, the principal story; pian' terreno, a ground floor.

1. used chiefly as a direction or description in music
2. (music) low loudness
3. used as a direction in music; to be played relatively softly
4. a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds