bassoon

[ ba-soon, buh- ]

noun

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

bassoon

/ 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

bassoon

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 .

Derived Forms

• basˈsoonist, noun

Other Words From

• bas·soonist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bassoon¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bassoon¹

C18: from French basson , from Italian bassone , from basso deep; see base ²

Example Sentences

And he played, with variations, an imaginary tune On the buttons of his waistcoat, like a jocular bassoon.

From Project Gutenberg

Grandfather Tootle, the bassoon, spends his time in dozing: all you can hear from him is an occasional snore.

From Project Gutenberg

Had there been a wedding guest present, he would hardly have repined in not being able to obey the summons of the loud bassoon.

From Project Gutenberg

Mhler remembered that at one of the general rehearsals the third bassoon was absent; at which Beethoven fretted and fumed.

From Project Gutenberg

It was told by Mittag, a bassoon player who had taken part in a performance of the Septet at a concert on December 11.

From Project Gutenberg