bassoon

American  

[ba-soon, buh-] / bæˈsun, bə- /

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.

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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

• bassoonist noun

Etymology

Origin of bassoon

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

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

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

Otto Mortensen’s Quintet for Winds followed, providing a showcase for players on flute, oboe/English horn, clarinet, bassoon and French horn.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

In the Lento e deserto, the work’s only slow movement, the lonely yowlings of piccolo, bassoon and slide whistle formed a tender yet humorous trio.

From New York Times • Nov. 3, 2023

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

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