mandolin

noun

man·​do·​lin ˌman-də-ˈlin How to pronounce mandolin (audio)
ˈman-də-lən
variants or less commonly mandoline
ˌman-də-ˈlēn How to pronounce mandolin (audio)
ˈman-də-lən
1
: a musical instrument of the lute family that has a usually pear-shaped body and fretted neck and four to six pairs of strings
2
usually mandoline [French, from Italian mandolino mandolin] : a kitchen utensil with a blade for slicing and shredding
mandolinist noun

Illustration of mandolin

Illustration of mandolin
  • mandolin 1

Examples of mandolin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The concert will feature Baroque mandolin and harpsichord music by Scarlatti, Bach, Ortiz and Vivaldi, among others. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024 Their sound is identified by mandolin which both Hilts and guitarist/vocalist Scott Pringle play, and banjo, which is handled by Colton Crawford. Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 9 Feb. 2024 As the sun set on the second half of my journey, fellow passengers in the observation car formed an impromptu band complete with an acoustic guitar and mandolin. Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2024 The two most confusing objects in our kitchens appear to be the zester and the mandolin slicer. Andrew Van Dam, Washington Post, 1 Dec. 2023 This is not the Thile who can make Bach arresting on the mandolin but rather turns more to his, and the mandolin’s, bluegrass roots as well as jazz. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023 The mix of ethnicities is reflected in the music, with songs traditionally sung in Spanish and accompanied by instruments such as the cuatro—a four-stringed acoustic guitar—maracas, mandolins and a box bass. Melissa Noel, Essence, 18 Dec. 2023 The singer was joined by Lolly, who played the mandolin. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 19 Dec. 2023 The trio’s rendition is pretty faithful, with Julien Baker even breaking out a mandolin to match the original 1997 version. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 18 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mandolin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian mandolino, diminutive of mandola

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mandolin was in 1707

Dictionary Entries Near mandolin

Cite this Entry

“Mandolin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mandolin. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mandolin

noun
man·​do·​lin ˌman-də-ˈlin How to pronounce mandolin (audio)
ˈman-dᵊl-ən
variants also mandoline
ˌman-də-ˈlēn How to pronounce mandolin (audio)
ˈman-dᵊl-ən
: a stringed instrument with a pear-shaped body and four to six pairs of strings played by plucking

More from Merriam-Webster on mandolin

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