woodwind

noun

wood·​wind ˈwu̇d-ˌwind 

1

: any of a group of wind instruments (such as a clarinet, flute, oboe, or saxophone) that are characterized by a cylindrical or conical tube of wood or metal usually ending in a slightly flared bell, that produce tones by the vibration of one or two reeds in the mouthpiece or by the passing of air over a mouth hole, and that usually have finger holes or keys by which the player may produce all the tones within an instrument's range

2

woodwinds plural : the woodwind section of a band or orchestra

Examples of woodwind in a Sentence

He plays all the woodwind instruments very well.

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to the strings, there were percussion, horn and woodwinds added to layer the music. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 26 Dec. 2024

Earlier this year, Big Boi stepped out to support his former bandmate's March 2 show at Center Stage in Atlanta in promotion of his instrumental woodwinds album. —Shyla Watson, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024

André, 49, was spotted playing the flute as early as 2019 in Philadelphia, and his globe-trotting woodwind exploits have gone viral many times since then. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 12 Dec. 2024

At Blair, Students can study strings, woodwinds, brass, voice, keyboards, jazz studies, percussion, composition, musicology, music education and more. —Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing woodwind

• woodwind section

Kids Definition

woodwind

noun

wood·​wind ˈwu̇d-ˌwind 

1

: one of a group of musical instruments including flutes, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, and sometimes saxophones compare brass instrument, percussion instrument, stringed instrument

2

plural : the woodwind instruments of a band or orchestra

woodwind adjective