mandolin

noun

man·​do·​lin ˌman-də-ˈlin 

ˈman-də-lən

variants or less commonly mandoline

ˌman-də-ˈlēn 

ˈman-də-lən

1

: a musical instrument of the lute family that has a usually pear-shaped body and fretted neck and four to six pairs of strings

2

usually mandoline [French, from Italian mandolino mandolin] : a kitchen utensil with a blade for slicing and shredding

mandolinist

ˌman-də-ˈli-nist 

noun

Illustration of mandolin

• mandolin 1

Examples of mandolin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Golden Highway, which also included bassist Shelby Means, banjoist Kyle Tuttle (no relation), fiddle player Bronwyn Keith-Hynes and mandolin player Dominick Leslie, disbanded earlier this year to focus on solo initiatives and other pursuits. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2025

Backed by violin, mandolin, upright bass, and drums, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter kneaded Americana and bluegrass into her own style. —Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025

James Young has since joined to add more guitar and mandolin. —Brett Milano, Boston Herald, 25 July 2025

Frank leads on vocals and razor-sharp mandolin, joined by Tim Stafford and Kelsey Crews on harmonies, Seth Taylor on guitar, Travis Anderson on upright bass, Jim VanCleve on fiddle and Matt Menefee on banjo. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 14 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian mandolino, diminutive of mandola

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mandolin

• aneurin
• crystallin
• eosin
• porphyrin
• underpin
• violin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin
• foreskin

Kids Definition

mandolin

noun

man·​do·​lin ˌman-də-ˈlin 

ˈman-dᵊl-ən

variants also mandoline

ˌman-də-ˈlēn 

ˈman-dᵊl-ən

: a stringed instrument with a pear-shaped body and four to six pairs of strings played by plucking