double-reed

American  

[duhb-uhl-reed] / ˈdʌb əlˈrid /

adjective

Music.

1. of or relating to wind instruments producing sounds through two reeds fastened and beating together, as the oboe.

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double-reed British  

adjective

1. relating to or denoting a wind instrument in which the sounds are produced by air passing over two reeds that vibrate against each other

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Etymology

Origin of double-reed

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

On “Oboe Blues,” he plays the three horns to introduce a theme, and then switches to the double-reed instrument, and shows considerable proficiency on that as well.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026

Both began lessons on the saxophone, then switched to more difficult double-reed instruments.

From New York Times • Apr. 22, 2022

In Mr. Focht’s apartment, his double-reed woodwind instrument transports him somewhere else.

From Washington Times • Oct. 13, 2020

They’re defined by the sharp scrawl of the ghaita, a double-reed instrument, and the resounding pound of the tebel drum, which is made of goatskin and struck with wooden sticks.

From New York Times • Mar. 28, 2019

As they drew nearer, our hero noticed a young woman in the front rank who was playing folk-songs on a cromorne with a double-reed mouth-piece enclosed in an air-reservoir.

From Of All Things by Benchley, Robert C.