sax

¹ American  

[saks] / sæks /

noun

Informal.

1. saxophone.

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sax ² American  

[saks] / sæks /

noun

1. a short, single-edged sword of ancient Scandinavia.

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Sax. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. Saxon.

2. Saxony.

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sax ¹ British  

/ sæks /

noun

1. a tool resembling a small axe, used for cutting roofing slate

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sax ² British  

/ sæks /

noun

1. informal short for saxophone

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Etymology

Origin of sax¹

By shortening

Origin of sax²

before 900; Middle English sexe, Old English seax, sæx; cognate with Old Norse sax ( Swedish, Danish sax scissors). See saw ¹

Example Sentences

As Les Paul said, if you’re a pianist, you’re stuck behind the piano, and if you play the sax, you can’t play and sing at the same time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

I was hooked by the magisterial piano and sax solos of the epic “Jungleland,” set in a romanticized New York City—instantly my first favorite Bruce song.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

The traditional norteño sax group, which includes a saxophone, accordion and baja sexto in its ensemble, closed out the showcase with deep romanticism and irresistible energy.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2025

“If you added a sax solo, for example, it’d be one element too far. You might as well put on a waistcoat and go home.”

From BBC • Aug. 20, 2024

“Briefcase? Oh, that’s my sax case. I set it down for a second.”

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz