bassoon

American  

[ba-soon, buh-] / bæˈsun, bə- /

noun

• bassoons
  plural

1. a large woodwind instrument of low range, with a doubled tube and a curved metal crook to which a double reed is attached.

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bassoon British  

/ bəˈsuːn /

noun

1. a woodwind instrument, the tenor of the oboe family. Range: about three and a half octaves upwards from the B flat below the bass staff

2. an orchestral musician who plays the bassoon

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bassoon Cultural  

1. The second largest and second lowest pitched of the woodwinds. (The less common contrabassoon is larger and has a lower pitch.) It is played with a double reed.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• bassoonist
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• bassoons
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of bassoon

1720–30; < French basson < Italian bassone ( bass ( o ) low ( see base ²) + -one augmentative suffix)

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Explanation

A bassoon is a musical instrument with a low, rich tone. A bassoon is like a deep, bass version of an oboe. In the category of woodwind instruments, which have reeds that rest on the musician's lips as she plays, the bassoon is the deepest-sounding. You will probably hear at least one bassoon if you attend a band or orchestral concert. The word bassoon comes from the 17th century French basson, sharing a Latin root with bass — bassus, or "low."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bassoon bassoons

Orson has embarrassing gastric issues and watches alpha-male videos in the basement, where he also practices the bassoon.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 12, 2026

In addition to being named Orson, the lad has chronic gastrointestinal distress and plays the bassoon.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 9, 2026

A daughter of musical parents, soprano Christiane Stutzmann and bass Christian Dupuy, Nathalie learned piano when she was young, then cello and bassoon.

From Seattle Times ● May 4, 2023

“Mythologies” revels in the palpably human effects of an acoustic ensemble: the trembling friction of bows on strings; the exhalations of breath into brasses; the grumble of bassoon, with audible clicks of fingers on keys.

From New York Times ● Apr. 3, 2023

A few years ago, Dad traded in his vintage Mercedes for a silver SUV with a trunk large enough to store Camille’s bassoon, Andre’s lacrosse gear, and my dance bag all at the same time.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

His 2023 release, “The Other One”—for which he conducted an ensemble including saxophones, bassoons, strings, percussion and piano—landed on the year-end best-of lists of several classical music critics.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2025

It's a deliciously strange, herky-jerky pop number, orchestrated by synth bassoons and merry-go-round organs.

From BBC ● Feb. 12, 2024

Beautiful bassoons and oboes opened the second movement, the slow poke of the horn a touch too insistent, and Rachlin offered his softer side.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 28, 2022

Featured instruments will include guitars, harmonicas, accordions, trombones, bassoons, French horns, synthesizers, ukuleles, djembes, harps and voices.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 13, 2017

"May I have flutes, clarinets, oboes—I don't suppose we have any bassoons? Ah! But there is one! Come up, come up!"

From "What the Night Sings" by Vesper Stamper

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