guitar

American  

[gi-tahr] / gɪˈtɑr /

noun

1. a stringed musical instrument with a long, fretted neck, a flat, somewhat violinlike body, and typically six strings, which are plucked with the fingers or with a plectrum.

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guitar British  

/ ɡɪˈtɑː /

noun

1. music a plucked stringed instrument originating in Spain, usually having six strings, a flat sounding board with a circular sound hole in the centre, a flat back, and a fretted fingerboard. Range: more than three octaves upwards from E on the first leger line below the bass staff See also electric guitar bass guitar Hawaiian guitar

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guitar Cultural  

1. A stringed musical instrument (see strings) usually played by strumming or plucking. Guitars are widely used in folk music and, often amplified electronically, in country and western music and rock 'n' roll.

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Other Word Forms

• guitar-like adjective
• guitarist noun

Etymology

Origin of guitar

1615–25; < Spanish guitarra < Arabic kītārah ≪ Greek kithára kithara

Example Sentences

At a guitar group at the Florrie in Liverpool, some younger attendees told the BBC they believe the pension age will rise in years to come.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Mr. Hedges himself picks fluid guitar and banjo, and room is made, too, for some surprising variations in the instrumentation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

For his 40th birthday, he bought himself a guitar, took up lessons and has practiced daily ever since.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The dynamic singer delivered every lyric with his whole body as he frenetically tapped the buttons of his brightly colored accordion, doing his best to make the squeezebox sound like an electric guitar.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

I can hear lots of voices and shoes squeaking through the hallway, then peppy guitar sounds and Brie singing a hello song.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison