woodwind

[ wood-wind ]

/ ˈwʊdˌwɪnd /

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noun

a musical wind instrument of the group comprising the flutes, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, and occasionally, the saxophones.

woodwinds, the section of an orchestra or band comprising the woodwind instruments.

adjective

of, relating to, or composed of woodwinds.

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Origin of woodwind

First recorded in 1875–80; wood¹ + wind³

Words nearby woodwind

wood vinegar, wood warbler, Woodward, wood wasp, woodwaxen, woodwind, woodwinds, wood, woods, wood-wool, wood woollyfoot, woodwork

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use woodwind in a sentence

Such a small sample size can be particularly challenging when investigating woodwinds.
What science tells us about reducing coronavirus spread from wind instruments|Betsy Ladyzhets|August 6, 2021|Science News
Brass instruments, woodwinds and drums blared, with bass lines audible from the stairwell.
What science tells us about reducing coronavirus spread from wind instruments|Betsy Ladyzhets|August 6, 2021|Science News
To Marx, that meant setting brass and woodwinds aside to focus on strings.
How ‘Shiva Baby’ captures the anxieties of being a young woman|Sonia Rao|April 2, 2021|Washington Post
As the show begins, you immediately notice accomplished musical director Jon Kalbfleisch masked, conducting a terrific 16-person orchestra – also masked, except those musicians playing brass and woodwinds.
‘Simply Sondheim’ packed with thrilling moments|Patrick Folliard|March 18, 2021|Washington Blade

Strings and woodwind, brass and percussion, all are up to the best professional level.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 158, February 18th, 1920|Various
But in the woodwind a dissenting theme appears from time to time: Man and his torments invade this sanctity of peace.
Franz Liszt|James Huneker
The strings prepare for the sonorous entrance of woodwind and horns.
Symphonies and Their Meaning; Third Series, Modern Symphonies|Philip H. Goepp
The dance does not end without a soft reminder (in low woodwind) of the original sombre phrase.
Symphonies and Their Meaning; Third Series, Modern Symphonies|Philip H. Goepp
Later comes a redoubled speed of the march in the woodwind, above a slower in low strings.
Symphonies and Their Meaning; Third Series, Modern Symphonies|Philip H. Goepp

British Dictionary definitions for woodwind

woodwind

/ (ˈwʊdˌwɪnd) music /

adjective

of, relating to, or denoting a type of wind instrument, excluding the brass instruments, formerly made of wood but now often made of metal, such as the flute or clarinet

noun

(functioning as plural) woodwind instruments collectively

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