The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. Widely used in Western music for solo performance, ensemble use, chamber music, and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal. Although not portable and often expensive, the piano"s versatility and ubiquity have made it one of the most familiar musical instruments.

鋼琴外文名為Piano，它的全名應叫Pianoforte，意為弱強。由於這件樂器既能發出弱音，又能發出強音，才有了這樣一個極為形象的名字。

後來，也許是為了稱呼上的方便，人們將表示強音的forte略去，只保留表示弱音的piano，並沿用至今。

中文翻譯成鋼琴，則是因為在鴉片戰爭後，一些外國商人看到中國的市場潛力，向中國大量出口鋼琴，並宣稱這是由"鋼"製作的琴，所以華人便開始習慣性地稱之為"鋼琴"了。