brass instrument

noun

: any of a group of wind instruments (such as a French horn, trombone, trumpet, or tuba) that is usually characterized by a long cylindrical or conical metal tube commonly curved two or more times and ending in a flared bell, that produces tones by the vibrations of the player's lips against a usually cup-shaped mouthpiece, and that usually has valves or a slide by which the player may produce all the tones within the instrument's range

Examples of brass instrument in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In early 2024, Solange told Harper’s Bazaar that she’s been writing music with the brass instrument in mind. —Angel Diaz, Billboard, 27 Jan. 2025

Not sure what valve is a drainage feature on a brass instrument? —Kris Holt, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024

Bowers cites the tale of Paty — a brass instrument technician who, before getting hired at the shop, struggled to survive — as especially affecting, having become a father himself since beginning work on the film. —Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2024

Sack-butt — When spelled with one T (sackbut), the word refers to an early Renaissance brass instrument similar to a trombone. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

brass instrument

noun

: any of a group of musical instruments made of curved tubes of brass in various shapes that includes trumpets, trombones, tubas, and French horns compare percussion instrument, stringed instrument, woodwind sense 1