banjo

American  

[ban-joh] / ˈbæn dʒoʊ /

noun

plural

banjos, banjoes

1. a musical instrument of the guitar family, having a circular body covered in front with tightly stretched parchment and played with the fingers or a plectrum.

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banjo British  

/ ˈbændʒəʊ /

noun

1. a stringed musical instrument with a long neck (usually fretted) and a circular drumlike body overlaid with parchment, plucked with the fingers or a plectrum

2. slang any banjo-shaped object, esp a frying pan

3. slang a long-handled shovel with a wide blade

4. (modifier) banjo-shaped

   a banjo clock

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banjo Cultural  

1. A stringed musical instrument, played by plucking (see strings). The banjo has a percussive sound and is much used in folk music and bluegrass music.

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Other Word Forms

• banjoist noun

Etymology

Origin of banjo

First recorded in 1730–40; compare Jamaican English banja, bonjour, bangil, Brazilian Portuguese banza; probably of African origin; compare Kimbundu mbanza a plucked string instrument

Explanation

A banjo is a musical stringed instrument with a round body and a neck. Bluegrass bands almost always include at least one banjo. A banjo can be played by strumming it like a guitar, or by plucking or picking the strings. Banjos can have four, five, or six strings, and their origins go back to African instruments, whose designs influenced African slaves in Colonial America to create the first banjos. The word banjo was originally used in 18th century America, from the Bantu mbanza, a banjo-like stringed instrument.

Example Sentences

At her interview she gave a PowerPoint presentation, covering everything from the things she loves, including Dolly Parton to her banjo, to how much she wanted to be with nature.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

But then we see him at the top of the cliff, strumming the banjo that Maude gave him, choosing to live, although he’d just lost what led him to come to the conclusion.

From Salon • Feb. 17, 2026

Formed in 1982, the band's most iconic lineup included late singer Shane MacGowan, bassist Cait O'Riordan, singer and tin whistle player Spider Stacy, banjo player Jem Finer, accordion player James Fearnley and Ranken.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

“Too many people that don’t know Mississippi think of it as a river, steamboats and some old guy strumming a banjo on a broken porch,” says Mr. Carswell.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

He started out too high, and Hussey, who was accompanying him on the banjo, kept hissing, “Lower! Lower!”

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong