guitar

noun

gui·​tar gə-ˈtär How to pronounce guitar (audio)
gi-,
 especially Southern and Midland US also  ˈgi-ˌtär
: a flat-bodied stringed instrument with a long fretted neck and usually six strings played with a pick or with the fingers
guitarist noun

Illustration of guitar

Illustration of guitar
  • 1 electric
  • 2 acoustic

Examples of guitar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And then Dave trashes his stacks and throws his guitar into the audience. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2025 While the two stayed clear of any political talk, Shore did open up on incorporating a myriad of sounds into Cronenberg’s films, such as jazz in Naked Lunch or electric guitar in Crash. Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2025 The United States’ musical history is vast, but this is our attempt at a greatest hits, coast-to-coast list of seven cities that move to the beat of their own drum (or twangy banjo or distorted electric guitar . . .). Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 21 Mar. 2025 The production is lush yet subtle, weaving nylon and 12-string guitars, bass, cello, violin, and other string instruments into a soundscape that elevates her evocative vocals. Mandeep Rai, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for guitar

Word History

Etymology

French guitare, from Spanish guitarra, from Arabic qītār, from Greek kithara cithara

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guitar was in 1668

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Guitar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guitar. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

guitar

noun
gui·​tar gə-ˈtär How to pronounce guitar (audio)
: a stringed instrument with a flat body, a long neck with frets, and usually six strings that are played with the fingers or with a pick
guitarist noun
Etymology

from French guitare "guitar," derived from Arabic qītār (same meaning)

More from Merriam-Webster on guitar

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