# harmonium

> English word · Noun · IPA /hɑːˈməʊ̯.niː.əm/ · frequency rank #75,946

## Definitions
1. A small keyboard instrument that consists of a series of reed pipes, which sound when one of the keys is pressed to open a valve that allows air to pass through.
2. Synonym of Hooke's atom.

## Etymology
Borrowed from French harmonium, coined by French harmonium inventor Alexandre Debain in 1840. By surface analysis, harmony + -ium. First attested in 1847.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/harmonium