violin

noun

vi·​o·​lin ˌvī-ə-ˈlin 

: a bowed stringed instrument having four strings tuned at intervals of a fifth and a usual range from G below middle C upward for more than 4¹/₂ octaves and having a shallow body, shoulders at right angles to the neck, a fingerboard without frets, and a curved bridge

violinist

ˌvī-ə-ˈli-nist 

noun

violinistic

ˌvī-ə-lə-ˈni-stik 

adjective

Illustration of violin

• 1 bridge
• 2 sound hole
• 3 soundboard
• 4 fingerboard
• 5 pegs
• 6 scroll
• 7 tailpiece
• g G-string
• d D-string
• a A-string
• e E-string

Examples of violin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The emotion holds center stage, backed by adamant violins and horns and sneaky melodies that vault up an octave to hit surprising notes. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Growing up in Mill Valley, Monica Barbaro played piano, flute, violin, guitar and ukulele. —Stuart Miller, Variety, 4 Dec. 2024

There were Minions on the woodwinds, a Starfleet Vulcan playing cello, and a butterfly on violin. —Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024

Guest soloist Ray Chen will also join for Samuel Barber’s violin concerto. —Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian violino, from viola "viola, viol" + -ino, diminutive suffix, going back to Latin -īnus -ine entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

violin

noun

vi·​o·​lin ˌvī-ə-ˈlin 

1

: a stringed musical instrument with four strings that is usually held against the shoulder under the chin and played with a bow

2

: violinist