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

Holiday concerts in Tavares The Tavares Public Library will host a Sounds of the Season Christmas concert at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 18, featuring traditional carols and holiday songs with Troy Harris on the saxophone. —Orlando Sentinel Staff, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024

Despite the varying lyrics and visuals, Lee feels the heart of the song is the instrumental track recorded with the help of Nashville session giants like Hank Garland and Harold Bradley on guitar, Floyd Cramer on piano and Boots Randolph on saxophone. —Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024

Gaga, however, Gaga-fies it, joyfully vamping all over the melody as if she’s morphed into a saxophone. —Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024

That evening, the artist, who uses all pronouns, strode down the grassy hill of the Getty Museum in Los Angeles wearing a flowing floral gown and carrying a saxophone. —Wren Sanders, Them, 27 Sep. 2024

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

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