clarinet

noun

clar·​i·​net ˌkler-ə-ˈnet 

ˌkla-rə-;

ˈkler-ə-nət,

ˈkla-rə-

: a single-reed woodwind instrument having a cylindrical tube with a moderately flared bell and a usual range from D below middle C upward for 3¹/₂ octaves

clarinetist noun

or clarinettist

ˌkler-ə-ˈne-tist 

ˌkla-rə-

Illustration of clarinet

Examples of clarinet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then there’s an extraordinary musician called Rory Hoffman, who plays many different instruments — clarinet, slide guitar, accordion. —Chris Willman, Variety, 6 May 2024

Eight soloists, playing the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, viola and cello, are meant to represent the eight victims, according to the city. —James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2024

For example, one analysis examined the puff clouds expelled by singers, and musicians playing clarinets, French horns, saxophones, and trumpets. —Amy Maxmen | Kff Health News, NBC News, 30 Apr. 2024

Little darts of flute and clarinet puncture the pulse of a modulated oscillator, with cello and violin casting long sentimental shadows. —Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024

And yet the earth is blunder and obtuseness— no swaying it, even on bended knee: its rotting flute gives sharpness to the hearing, its morning clarinet harrows the ear. —Merve Emre, The New York Review of Books, 13 Feb. 2024

Gershwin’s melodic material is spun with enchanting gold thread, from the opening clarinet swoop to the bluesy piano riffs to the epic sentimental melody near journey’s end. —Ethan Iverson, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2024

Then Akaka learned the clarinet for the school band. —Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024

Other gifts to the community included the endowed clarinet chair at the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Rosenthal Dome at Bass Performance Hall and significant contributions to the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County. —Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French clarinette, probably ultimately from Medieval Latin clarion-, clario

First Known Use

1733, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

clarinet

noun

clar·​i·​net ˌklar-ə-ˈnet 

ˈklar-ə-nət

: a woodwind musical instrument in the shape of a cylindrical tube having a single-reed mouthpiece

clarinetist noun

or clarinettist

ˌklar-ə-ˈnet-əst