saxophone

noun

sax·​o·​phone ˈsak-sə-ˌfōn 

: one of a group of single-reed woodwind instruments usually ranging from soprano to bass and characterized by a conical metal tube and finger keys

saxophonic

ˌsak-sə-ˈfō-nik 

-ˈfä-

adjective

saxophonist

ˈsak-sə-ˌfō-nist 

 especially British  sak-ˈsä-fə-

noun

Illustration of saxophone

Examples of saxophone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Along with the Gallaghers, the band for the tour consists of Paul Arthurs (guitar), Gem Archer (guitar), Andy Bell (bass) and Joey Waronker (drums), plus Christian Madden (keyboards), Alastair White (trombone), Steve Hamilton (saxophone) and Joe Auckland (trumpet). —Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025

Beck got the audience clapping along as pizzicato violin and saxophone rang out. —Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

And the saxophone theme that follows, as romantic as any in movie history, is an appropriately twisted expression of Travis Bickle’s love for Betsy – a romance for the ages. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025

Lulu, in her signature curly white wig, dunce cap, and exaggeratedly feminine makeup, and Albert, with his bulbous red nose, would entertain with a lively comedy and musical revue; Lulu played the bagpipes, clarinet, saxophone, coronet, and piano, among other instruments. —April White, JSTOR Daily, 18 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Antoine-Joseph (or Adolphe) Sax †1894 Belgian instrument maker + French -phone

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for saxophone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone

Kids Definition

saxophone

noun

sax·​o·​phone ˈsak-sə-ˌfōn 

: a musical instrument of the woodwind class consisting of a usually curved metal tube with finger keys and a reed mouthpiece

saxophonist

-ˌfō-nəst 

noun

Etymology

named for Antoine "Adolph" Sax 1814–1894 a Belgian maker of musical instruments