oboe

¹ American  

[oh-boh] / ˈoʊ boʊ /

noun

(sometimes initial capital letter)

1. a navigation system utilizing two radar ground stations that measure the distance to an aircraft and then radio the information to the aircraft.

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oboe ² American  

[oh-boh] / ˈoʊ boʊ /

noun

1. a woodwind instrument having a slender conical, tubular body and a double-reed mouthpiece.

2. (in an organ) a reed stop with a sound like that of an oboe.

3. (a word formerly used in communications to represent the letterO. )

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oboe British  

/ ˈəʊbəʊ /

noun

1. a woodwind instrument of the family that includes the bassoon and cor anglais, consisting of a conical tube fitted with a mouthpiece having a double reed. It has a penetrating nasal tone. Range: about two octaves plus a sixth upwards from B flat below middle C

2. a person who plays this instrument in an orchestra

   second oboe

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oboe Cultural  

1. A woodwind instrument played with a double reed; similar to a bassoon, but pitched higher. Some describe its tone as nasal.

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Discover More

The oboe appears frequently as a solo instrument in symphonies and other kinds of classical music.

Other Word Forms

• oboist noun

Etymology

Origin of oboe¹

First recorded in 1940–45; special use of oboe ¹

Origin of oboe¹

1690–1700; < Italian < French hautbois, equivalent to haut high + bois wood; hautboy

Example Sentences

I went through the woodwinds — played saxophone, then I played oboe.

From Los Angeles Times

A solo oboe was a prophetic voice in the wilderness.

From Los Angeles Times

Ryan Roberts is the new principal oboe, and he had a luminous solo in the “Alpine.”

From Los Angeles Times

Eight clusters of Los Angeles Philharmonic players, ranging from a single oboe to groupings of winds and brass and strings seated onstage and around Walt Disney Concert Hall, set a ceremonial tone.

From Los Angeles Times

“But if you get to an oboe ... you can get a much louder sound because it’s such a bigger instrument, so more energy can basically be pumped through that system.”

From Los Angeles Times