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

Cody is remembered as a kind-hearted boy who played saxophone in marching band at Riverside High School. —Mitchell Willetts, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025

Both husband and wife passed on their affinity for music — George’s as a singer and Olive’s as a saxophone player — to their children and formed the Osmond Brothers troupe with sons Alan, Wayne, and Jay Osmond. —Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025

Enjoy the best of the Paul Winter Consort's solstice concerts Fittingly named saxophone player Paul Winter has been ushering in the winter solstice with a special concert for decades. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024

After Bart chucks her saxophone out the window, Lisa is heartbroken. —Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 17 Dec. 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