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

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

Gano and founding bassist Brian Ritchie were joined by drummer John Sparrow, multi-instrumentalist Blaise Garza on saxophone, keys and percussion, and the Horns of Dilemma (which also featured Garza). —Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024

There will be times when work dominates, like a saxophone solo that demands full attention. —Brian Bartes, Forbes, 1 Nov. 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