cello

¹

[chel-oh]

noun

plural

cellos 

1. the second largest member of the violin family, rested vertically on the floor between the performer's knees when being played.

cello

²

[sel-oh]

noun

Informal.

1. cellophane.

cello

/ ˈtʃɛləʊ /

noun

1. Full name: violoncello. music a bowed stringed instrument of the violin family. Range: more than four octaves upwards from C below the bass staff. It has four strings, is held between the knees, and has an extendible metal spike at the lower end, which acts as a support

cello

1. An instrument in the violin family, known for its rich tone. Among the strings, or stringed instruments, the cello has the second-lowest range, higher only than the bass viol, and it has the lowest part in string quartets. Cellists hold the instrument between their knees to play it. Cello is short for violoncello.

Other Word Forms

• cellist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cello¹

First recorded in 1875–80; short for violoncello

Origin of cello²

By shortening

Example Sentences

Is that percussive pounding in earth the ground moving under our feet and the cello solo snowy Central Park?

From Los Angeles Times

"She used to carry my cello home from school on her back while pushing me in the pram," reminisces Absolutely.

From BBC

They come out twice, for Viva La Vida and feelslikeimfallinginlove, twirling their cellos and jumping up and down as they provide the stirring string accompaniment.

From BBC

Ma’s cello, on the other hand, fits in, often remaining in the background, though not a distant background.

From Los Angeles Times

The afternoon sun has just begun to peer through his windows, revealing stacks of books with a black cello case gently leaning against them.

From Los Angeles Times