saxophone

[ sak-suh-fohn ]

noun

1. a musical wind instrument consisting of a conical, usually brass tube with keys or valves and a mouthpiece with one reed.

saxophone

/ ˈsæksəˌfəʊn; sækˈsɒfənɪst; ˌsæksəˈfɒnɪk /

noun

1. a keyed wind instrument of mellow tone colour, used mainly in jazz and dance music. It is made in various sizes, has a conical bore, and a single reed Often shortened tosax

saxophone

1. A wind instrument classified as a woodwind because it is played with a reed , although it is usually made of metal. Saxophones appear mainly in jazz , dance, and military bands. They are made in several ranges, from soprano to bass .

Derived Forms

• saxophonist, noun
• saxophonic, adjective

Other Words From

• sax·o·phon·ic [sak-s, uh, -, fon, -ik], adjective
• saxo·phonist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of saxophone¹

1850–55; Sax ( saxhorn ) + -o- + -phone

Word History and Origins

Origin of saxophone¹

C19: named after Adolphe Sax (1814–94), Belgian musical-instrument maker, who invented it (1846)

Example Sentences

“But this was a s— ton of human performance”: people plucking guitars, people blowing saxophones, people sawing away at cellos and violins.

From Los Angeles Times

It was during this time that music began to take over the teenagers' lives, with Underwood singing in the band The Konrads, which Bowie then joined and played his saxophone.

From BBC

In a group, the saxophone takes plays the lyrical part of the song.

From Los Angeles Times

Democrats haven’t had this much fun during a campaign season since presidential hopeful Bill Clinton busted out his saxophone on “The Arsenio Hall Show” and performed an ambitious version of “Heartbreak Hotel.”

From Los Angeles Times

I play keyboards and mostly the percussion or the rhythm section and saxophone.

From Los Angeles Times