bassoon

noun

bas·​soon bə-ˈsün How to pronounce bassoon (audio)
ba-
: a double-reed woodwind instrument having a long U-shaped conical tube connected to the mouthpiece by a thin metal tube and a usual range two octaves lower than that of the oboe
bassoonist noun

Illustration of bassoon

Illustration of bassoon

Examples of bassoon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Michelle has been an invaluable asset to our music program, primarily showcasing remarkable talent on the clarinet, tenor sax and bassoon. Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024 The recording quality was coarse, and the score was loudly amplified, a solo bassoon in its mysterious high register sounding like a pigeon being tortured. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024 Seemingly merry bassoons and seemingly sprightly flutes and oboes opened the rambunctious ländler of the second movement, its rhythm ushering us past its telling (and slightly demonic) dissonances. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2024 The consort’s entire flute, oboe and bassoon section played beautifully, offering crisp conversation with tart strings stoked by conductor Dana Marsh. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 11 Dec. 2023 Writing a bassoon sextet is a heady accomplishment for any teenager, let alone having it be premiered by McDermott and leading members of the San Diego Symphony at a Mainly Mozart opening-night concert. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2023 The funeral march may here and there have been in slight violation of Mahler’s instruction not to drag, but was brightened by darting oboes and mournful bassoons. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2023 To capture Midler’s exquisite comedic timing along with Winifred Sanderson’s dark side, Debney mixed whimsical instruments like xylophones and marimbas with low woodwinds like bass clarinet and bassoon. Lindsay Kusiak, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Aug. 2023 Jazz in the 21st century has embraced many instruments beyond the conventional ones—such as the bassoon, French horn, viola and accordion—so why not the harp? Martin Johnson, WSJ, 14 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bassoon.' 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

French basson, from Italian bassone, from basso basso

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bassoon was in 1715

Dictionary Entries Near bassoon

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

bassoon

noun
bas·​soon bə-ˈsün How to pronounce bassoon (audio)
ba-
: the woodwind instrument of the oboe family that plays the lowest part
bassoonist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on bassoon

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