Dulcimer is the name given to two types of stringed musical instrument:

• The Appalachian dulcimer, a three-course, fretted, plucked instrument which is also referred to as a mountain dulcimer or just a dulcimer, and
• The Hammered dulcimer, which is a hammer-struck, trapezoid-shaped zither

The instruments are quite different, but are both members of the zither family of instruments.