cello

noun

cel·​lo ˈche-(ˌ)lō How to pronounce cello (audio)
plural cellos also celli ˈche-lē How to pronounce cello (audio)
: the bass member of the violin family tuned an octave below the viola

Examples of cello in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Kanneh-Mason began to play the cello at age six and rose to fame after giving a spellbinding performance at the wedding of Harry and Meghan in 2018. Amarachi Orie, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024 For the Czech Philharmonic, under Semyon Bychkov, with Yo-Yo Ma, cello soloist, go here. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 12 Dec. 2024 Fredrik Gran is the robot motion artist and also invented wonderfully pliant robot hands that are good for cello bows and fingerboards. Jaron Lanier, WIRED, 10 Dec. 2024 TVs broadcast some of his career's vital moments as people waited in line amid pensive cello music. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 10 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cello 

Word History

Etymology

short for violoncello

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cello was in 1855

Dictionary Entries Near cello

Cite this Entry

“Cello.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cello. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

cello

noun
cel·​lo ˈchel-ō How to pronounce cello (audio)
plural cellos
: a large musical instrument of the violin family that plays the bass or tenor part
Etymology

shortened form of violoncello

More from Merriam-Webster on cello

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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