woodwind

noun

wood·​wind ˈwu̇d-ˌwind 

1

: any of a group of wind instruments (such as a clarinet, flute, oboe, or saxophone) that are characterized by a cylindrical or conical tube of wood or metal usually ending in a slightly flared bell, that produce tones by the vibration of one or two reeds in the mouthpiece or by the passing of air over a mouth hole, and that usually have finger holes or keys by which the player may produce all the tones within an instrument's range

2

woodwinds plural : the woodwind section of a band or orchestra

Examples of woodwind in a Sentence

He plays all the woodwind instruments very well.

Recent Examples on the Web

The bustling arrangements—which frequently feature layers of strings, percussion, and woodwinds—surge and swell as Gibbons sings of her aging body and home life. —Stephen Kearse, TIME, 8 Dec. 2024

Her concerns about touch starvation or being desired are coolly shrugged off with lush woodwinds and melodies equally fit for ’70s AM radio and Sirius XMU. —Pitchfork, 3 Dec. 2024

There were Minions on the woodwinds, a Starfleet Vulcan playing cello, and a butterfly on violin. —Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024

The album takes the acclaimed lyricist from the rap world to jazz as a woodwind artist, highlighting him as a flutist. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing woodwind

• woodwind section

Kids Definition

woodwind

noun

wood·​wind ˈwu̇d-ˌwind 

1

: one of a group of musical instruments including flutes, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, and sometimes saxophones compare brass instrument, percussion instrument, stringed instrument

2

plural : the woodwind instruments of a band or orchestra

woodwind adjective