saxophone

[sak-suh-fohn]

noun

1. a musical wind instrument consisting of a conical, usually brass tube with keys or valves and a mouthpiece with one reed.

saxophone

/ ˈsæksəˌfəʊn, sækˈsɒfənɪst, ˌsæksəˈfɒnɪk /

noun

1. Often shortened to: sax. a keyed wind instrument of mellow tone colour, used mainly in jazz and dance music. It is made in various sizes, has a conical bore, and a single reed

saxophone

1. A wind instrument classified as a woodwind because it is played with a reed, although it is usually made of metal. Saxophones appear mainly in jazz, dance, and military bands. They are made in several ranges, from soprano to bass.

Other Word Forms

• saxophonic adjective
• saxophonist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of saxophone¹

1850–55; Sax ( saxhorn ) + -o- + -phone

Word History and Origins

Origin of saxophone¹

C19: named after Adolphe Sax (1814–94), Belgian musical-instrument maker, who invented it (1846)

Example Sentences

An ode to tentative yet powerful romantic tension, it is known for its saxophone solo - an instrument Dave also learned to play.

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A cello hides behind them, along with a saxophone.

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I was in marching band when I was in high school, I played the alto saxophone.

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It formed as an eight-piece Cuban conjunto, which ditched the traditional jazzy saxophone.

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He was even more painstaking about recording Clarence Clemons’ epic saxophone solo, staying up all night recording take after take alongside engineer Jimmy Iovine.

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