clarinet

American  

[klar-uh-net] / ˌklær əˈnɛt /

noun

1. a woodwind instrument in the form of a cylindrical tube with a single reed attached to its mouthpiece.

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clarinet British  

/ ˌklærɪˈnɛt /

noun

1. Obsolete name: clarionet.  a keyed woodwind instrument with a cylindrical bore and a single reed. It is a transposing instrument, most commonly pitched in A or B flat

2. an orchestral musician who plays the clarinet

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clarinet Cultural  

1. A woodwind instrument, usually made of black wood or plastic, and played with a single reed. The clarinet has extensive use in Dixieland, jazz, and military music, as well as in classical music.

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Discover More

The most famous American clarinetist was Benny Goodman.

Other Word Forms

• clarinetist noun
• clarinettist noun

Etymology

Origin of clarinet

1790–1800; < French clarinette, equivalent to Old French clarin clarion + -ette -ette

Example Sentences

"I want other young people with JIA to know they shouldn't let it stop them doing what they love – for me, that's baking, writing, and playing the clarinet."

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

“Sophisticated Lady” extends to 11 minutes, led by Harry Carney’s dark-hued bass clarinet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

After all, I play clarinet in a klezmer band.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

The score is a tone poem for cascading piano, string quartet and sighing clarinet lines.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 1, 2025

I don’t know how to play the clarinet.

From "Every Day" by David Levithan