cello

¹ American  

[sel-oh] / ˈsɛl oʊ /

noun

Informal.

1. cellophane.

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cello ² American  

[chel-oh] / ˈtʃɛl oʊ /

noun

PLURAL

cellos

1. the second largest member of the violin family, rested vertically on the floor between the performer's knees when being played.

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cello British  

/ ˈtʃɛləʊ /

noun

1. Full name: violoncello.  music a bowed stringed instrument of the violin family. Range: more than four octaves upwards from C below the bass staff. It has four strings, is held between the knees, and has an extendible metal spike at the lower end, which acts as a support

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cello Cultural  

1. An instrument in the violin family, known for its rich tone. Among the strings, or stringed instruments, the cello has the second-lowest range, higher only than the bass viol, and it has the lowest part in string quartets. Cellists hold the instrument between their knees to play it. Cello is short for violoncello.

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Other Word Forms

• cellist noun

Etymology

Origin of cello¹

By shortening

Origin of cello¹

First recorded in 1875–80; short for violoncello

Example Sentences

She's also a member of the LSO East Academy and has been playing cello since she was 11.

From BBC

“I’m also very devastated, because I have to turn in my instrument. I’ve been with my cello for three years now.”

From Los Angeles Times

But falling between the violin’s soaring brilliance and the cello’s corporeality, the viola also signifies transition.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile Nathan Johnson’s score of scratchy cellos and foreboding horns pairs well with a dramatic burst of organ music — one of many goofy-great jump scares goosed up by the editor Bob Ducsay.

From Los Angeles Times

The British singer and his band trade instruments with a sense of ease — splitting their time among a cello, keyboards, synthesizers, a drum machine, electric and acoustic guitars.

From Los Angeles Times