bassist

American  

[bey-sist] / ˈbeɪ sɪst /

noun

1. a singer with a bass voice.

2. a player of a bass instrument, especially of the bass viol.

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bassist British  

/ ˈbeɪsɪst /

noun

1. a player of a double bass, esp in a jazz band

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Etymology

Origin of bassist

First recorded in 1865–70; bass ¹ + -ist

Explanation

If you're a musician who plays a standup bass or a bass guitar, you're a bassist. All bassists play instruments with deep, low tones, and the word derives from a Latin root meaning "low." In a rock band, the bassist and drummer provide the rhythm that forms a song's foundation — and the bassist also plays notes that harmonize with the guitar, keyboards, and any other instruments. Classical and jazz bassists do something similar, but they have to stand up while they're playing.

Example Sentences

Lambrini Girls bassist Selin Macieira-Boşgelmez tells BBC Newsbeat that women in the rock scene are "often plagued with imposter syndrome".

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026

Flea, bassist: Every time Miles changed it up, he destroyed everything that came before.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026

This year’s lineup on the stage includes Minutemen bassist Mike Watt, Jason DeVore of Authority Zero and a special set from Lindberg himself.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

The jazz virtuoso has an unusually, appealingly laid-back sound on a new archival release, recorded with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen in Detroit in 1960.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Turns out I will not become a bassist today.

From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon