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

The Last Bison surrounded him with a thicket of acoustic instrumentation, including guitar, banjo, bass, and mandolin, while Fallon, cowboy hat planted firmly on his head, joined the fray with a washboard. — Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2026

Her arrangements aim for modern classicism, placing familiar instruments—guitars, mandolins, Wurlitzer pianos—in polished productions that forgo twists or anthemic buildups. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026

Playing the banjo, the guitar and some mandolin as well as singing tenor vocals, Manion became the leader and chief humorist of the band. — Arkansas Online, 11 July 2026

Chris plays things on the mandolin that people never thought were possible. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026

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
• superfine
• underpin
• vietminh
• violin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin

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