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string bass

American  
[beys] / beɪs /

noun

  1. double bass.


string bass British  
/ beɪs /

noun

  1. another name for double bass

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of string bass

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Music: A trio of violin, string bass and accordion played Presley’s No. 1 hit “Love Me Tender”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026

When The Cure formed in 1976, Bamonte was initially part of its roadcrew from 1984 before enjoying two stints as a musical member, playing guitar, six string bass and keyboard.

From Barron's • Dec. 26, 2025

“The beauty of a labyrinth is that it can do so many things, like a string bass that can fit into a jazz band, a string quartet and then a symphony,” she said.

From Washington Post • Apr. 20, 2016

Adrian Mann, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic’s librarian, staff arranger and principal string bass player; and Philharmonic harpist Anne Lewellen.

From Washington Times • Sep. 16, 2015

In a 1981 study, Griswold & Chroback found that the harp, flute, and piccolo had high feminine ratings; the trumpet, string bass, and tuba had high masculine ratings.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

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