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

Out-of-towners crowd the sidewalk to listen to a brass band, the trombones, trumpets and saxophone blaring over the march of the tuba and percussion. —Dakin Andone, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025

Conducted by Ruth Reinhardt, the work featured saxophone virtuoso Steven Banks in his Minnesota Orchestra debut. —Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 29 Jan. 2025

Charlie Gurke, a baritone saxophone specialist who also plays tenor and alto, is the youngest member of the sextet and latest to join. —Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025

Instead, there’s an instrumental dialogue between Robbie Robertson’s guitar, twanging and moaning the blues, and Hudson’s saxophone, reaching for a consoling melody. —Jon Pareles, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025

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