sax

¹ American  

[saks] / sæks /

noun

Informal.

1. saxophone.

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sax ² American  

[saks] / sæks /

noun

1. a short, single-edged sword of ancient Scandinavia.

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Sax. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. Saxon.

2. Saxony.

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sax ¹ British  

/ sæks /

noun

1. a tool resembling a small axe, used for cutting roofing slate

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sax ² British  

/ sæks /

noun

1. informal short for saxophone

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Etymology

Origin of sax¹

By shortening

Origin of sax²

before 900; Middle English sexe, Old English seax, sæx; cognate with Old Norse sax ( Swedish, Danish sax scissors). See saw ¹

Example Sentences

Yvonne Lanauze’s vocal is modest, but the track blossoms in the instrumental solos—Hodges’s alto sax singing with quiet poise, and Tyree Glenn’s trombone talking with emotion and eloquence, raising the whole performance to another level.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

I was hooked by the magisterial piano and sax solos of the epic “Jungleland,” set in a romanticized New York City—instantly my first favorite Bruce song.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

From trap corrido originators Arsenal Efectivo to Conjunto Rienda Real’s signature norteño sax, each performer paid tribute to their closest friends and professional peers — many of whom were invited to share the stage.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2025

Joining the group with her 10 siblings, Flores started on the sax before becoming a vocalist.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2024

“I heard you’re a sax player,” he said.

From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride