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

• saxophonist noun
• saxophonic adjective

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

A cello hides behind them, along with a saxophone.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

In 1964, the album Shakespeare and All That Jazz, recorded with her husband on clarinet and saxophone, was released to critical acclaim.

From BBC