clarinet

noun

clar·​i·​net ˌkler-ə-ˈnet 

ˌkla-rə-;

ˈkler-ə-nət,

ˈkla-rə-

: a single-reed woodwind instrument having a cylindrical tube with a moderately flared bell and a usual range from D below middle C upward for 3¹/₂ octaves

clarinetist noun

or clarinettist

ˌkler-ə-ˈne-tist 

ˌkla-rə-

Illustration of clarinet

Examples of clarinet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The original performance was prompted by a conversation with Jimmy Fallon about playing the clarinet as kids. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2025

By then, the prolific Belgian tinkerer had already made a lasting contribution to the history of musical tech with his fundamental revision of the bass clarinet. —Matthew Sherrill, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025

Each rank recreates the sound of a single instrument, such as a flute or clarinet. —Heather Kathryn Ross, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025

Dédé’s father, Basile, played clarinet in New Orleans, and that sound may have mixed with opera in his son’s ears. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French clarinette, probably ultimately from Medieval Latin clarion-, clario

First Known Use

1733, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for clarinet

• alphabet
• arpanet
• bayonet
• biuret
• cigarette
• coronet
• coverlet
• dataset
• epithet
• ethernet
• heavyset
• internet

Kids Definition

clarinet

noun

clar·​i·​net ˌklar-ə-ˈnet 

ˈklar-ə-nət

: a woodwind musical instrument in the shape of a cylindrical tube having a single-reed mouthpiece

clarinetist noun

or clarinettist

ˌklar-ə-ˈnet-əst