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

Bailey's clarinet skills go back to his childhood more than 30 years ago — in 1993, the same year Jurassic Park premiered — when his grandfather gave him his first version of the instrument. —Jen Juneau, People.com, 26 June 2025

The 14-year-old plays clarinet and tenor saxophone in her school band, loves Ultimate Frisbee and building Lego sets. —Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 28 May 2025

Russell played a sweet clarinet as well as the night’s primary instrument, and Giddens of course spends as much time as a fiddler as banjoist, while Kiah concentrated on guitar and McCalla played a mixture of cello and guitar. —Chris Willman, Variety, 21 June 2025

Adler, associate principal clarinet, New York Philharmonic. —Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 24 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1733, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for clarinet

• alphabet
• arpanet
• bayonet
• biuret
• cigarette
• coronet
• coverlet
• dataset
• epithet
• ethernet
• heavyset
• internet

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