saxophone

noun

sax·​o·​phone ˈsak-sə-ˌfōn 

: one of a group of single-reed woodwind instruments usually ranging from soprano to bass and characterized by a conical metal tube and finger keys

saxophonic

ˌsak-sə-ˈfō-nik 

-ˈfä-

adjective

saxophonist

ˈsak-sə-ˌfō-nist 

 especially British  sak-ˈsä-fə-

noun

Illustration of saxophone

Examples of saxophone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The seven-piece band included, gloriously, a horn section with a trumpet and two saxophones, and everyone delivered. —Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 4 Nov. 2024

Also Read Every Tom Petty Album, Ranked Both Rakim and his older brother Steve Griffin played the saxophone. —Kyle Eustice, SPIN, 1 Nov. 2024

Like her friend, Abby played the saxophone in the school’s band and was part of the volleyball team, according to her obituary. —Nicole Chavez, CNN, 18 Oct. 2024

On a recent Friday in June, the sounds of the sousaphone, trumpet, trombone, saxophone and drums reverberated through a streetcar rolling through Kansas City’s River Market. —Hg Biggs, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Antoine-Joseph (or Adolphe) Sax †1894 Belgian instrument maker + French -phone

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

saxophone

noun

sax·​o·​phone ˈsak-sə-ˌfōn 

: a musical instrument of the woodwind class consisting of a usually curved metal tube with finger keys and a reed mouthpiece

saxophonist

-ˌfō-nəst 

noun

Etymology

named for Antoine "Adolph" Sax 1814–1894 a Belgian maker of musical instruments