banjo

noun

ban·​jo ˈban-(ˌ)jō 

plural banjos also banjoes

: a musical instrument with a drumlike body, a fretted neck, and usually four or five strings which may be plucked or strummed

banjoist

ˈban-ˌjō-ist 

noun

Illustration of banjo

Examples of banjo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Muppets ride on luggage carts, play banjo by the sea, and get into all manner of delightful hijinks. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 7 Feb. 2025

The city names were displayed in a retro poster underneath the headline ‘Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit Tour’ in block letters with a couple of black-and-white images of the musician holding a banjo and rocking a cowboy hat while giving a wave. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025

Raised in Florence, Ala., young Melba learned to sing harmonies and play the banjo and guitar at home. —Bill Friskics-Warren, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025

The banjo, of course, is like a rhythm instrument and Jerry plays the guitar like a banjo. —Gary Graff, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably of African origin; akin to Kimbundu mbanza, a similar instrument

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing banjo

• banjo clock

Rhymes for banjo

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• barbeau
• bateau

Kids Definition

banjo

noun

ban·​jo ˈban-jō 

plural banjos also banjoes

: a musical instrument with a round body like a drum, a long fretted neck, and four or five strings

banjoist

-ˌjō-ist 

noun