trombone

noun

trom·​bone träm-ˈbōn 

(ˌ)trəm-ˈbōn,

ˈträm-ˌbōn

: a brass instrument consisting of a long cylindrical metal tube with two turns and having a movable slide or valves for varying the tone and a usual range one octave lower than that of the trumpet

trombonist

träm-ˈbō-nist 

(ˌ)trəm-ˈbō-

ˈträm-ˌbō-

noun

Illustration of trombone

Examples of trombone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Plans major in music performance with the eventual goal to earn a full-time position as an orchestral trombone player. —Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 22 Dec. 2024

The dozen-and-a-half musicians joining Church on stage took away from that — the trombone bellows and flute trills distracted, making the song feel cartoonish at moments. —Justin Curto, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024

At the corner of St. Peter and Royal Streets, a tuba begins its rumbling and a trombone squeals; the instruments sparkle in the sunlight, glinting gold amid a gathering crowd. —Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2024

Mazzoli piles unstable harmonies on top of that fractured foundation; trombone glissandos add a demonic sneer. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian, augmentative of tromba trumpet, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German trumba, trumpa trumpet

First Known Use

circa 1724, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

trombone

noun

trom·​bone träm-ˈbōn 

(ˌ)trəm-

: a brass wind instrument with a section that can slide in and out to make different tones

trombonist

-ˈbō-nəst 

noun

Etymology

from Italian trombone, literally "large trumpet," from tromba "trumpet"