saxophone

American  

[sak-suh-fohn] / ˈsæk səˌfoʊn /

noun

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

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saxophone British  

/ 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

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saxophone Cultural  

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.

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Other Word Forms

• saxophonic adjective
• saxophonist noun

Etymology

Origin of saxophone

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

Example Sentences

In truth, you are hearing three saxophones, but they’re all being played simultaneously by one man.

From The Wall Street Journal

RM and V celebrated with salutes and a saxophone performance as they were discharged in June; and shortly afterwards, confirmed a new album and tour for 2026.

From BBC

Immanuel Wilkins’s alto saxophone and Joel Ross’s vibraphone initially function as dual narrators.

From The Wall Street Journal

No, Moore goes for the hard stuff: wailing saxophones, arrhythmic bass lines, drums that follow beats so out of time they might as well come from the deepest reaches of space.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times