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 opening acts for the first leg of the new tour include Billy Strings, mandolin wiz Sierra Hull and Lily Meola. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025

Singer, guitarist, and mandolin player Russell Moore, also of the bluegrass band IIIrd Tyme Out, is now part of the ensemble along with its other longtime members — dobro player Jerry Douglas, bassist Barry Bales, and guitarist and banjo player Ron Block. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2025

New Moon Rising is a trio of musical women who sing and play guitar, mandolin and violin. —Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2025

The program will feature old-time acoustic mountain and folk music on banjo, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, fiddle, mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, bass fiddle, autoharp and the Appalachian dancing doll, plus dancing, storytelling and comedy. —Eric E. Harrison, arkansasonline.com, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian mandolino, diminutive of mandola

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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