Illustration of saxophone
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
adjective -ˈfä-
saxophonist
ˈsak-sə-ˌfō-nist
noun especially British sak-ˈsä-fə-
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The video then cycled through some hilarious retro photos of Garner practicing the saxophone, doing ballet and playing Dorothy in a staged production of The Wizard of Oz, among other fond adolescent memories. 
Glenn Garner, Peoplemag, 26 Aug. 2022 He was bested by a fiendish reed instrument called the saxophone. Bo Emerson, ajc, 20 July 2022 Notably, the smooth saxophone glided through the robust band, standing out among the otherwise head-banging song. Griffin Wiles, The Indianapolis Star, 25 June 2022 Born in Sidney, Texas to oilman and musician Wayland Seals, the rocker was a fiddle champion in his youth, and later took up the saxophone. Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE.com, 8 June 2022 The 21-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia, turned to the saxophone in elementary school after getting bullied for his appearance and voice. Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, 1 June 2022 Musicians are scheduled to play every Friday and Saturday night; the roster now includes singer Esther Reina and saxophone player Kenny Fong. Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 Last up was Avery Dixon, a saxophone player who scored a Golden Buzzer from Crews during his audition. Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2022 He's long drawn comparisons to his idol Bruce Springsteen not just for his robust saxophone breaks, but for the ways in which his lyrics depict the plight of the blue collar worker. Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE.com, 29 July 2022 See More
Glenn Garner, Peoplemag, 26 Aug. 2022 He was bested by a fiendish reed instrument called the saxophone. Bo Emerson, ajc, 20 July 2022 Notably, the smooth saxophone glided through the robust band, standing out among the otherwise head-banging song. Griffin Wiles, The Indianapolis Star, 25 June 2022 Born in Sidney, Texas to oilman and musician Wayland Seals, the rocker was a fiddle champion in his youth, and later took up the saxophone. Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE.com, 8 June 2022 The 21-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia, turned to the saxophone in elementary school after getting bullied for his appearance and voice. Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, 1 June 2022 Musicians are scheduled to play every Friday and Saturday night; the roster now includes singer Esther Reina and saxophone player Kenny Fong. Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 Last up was Avery Dixon, a saxophone player who scored a Golden Buzzer from Crews during his audition. Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2022 He's long drawn comparisons to his idol Bruce Springsteen not just for his robust saxophone breaks, but for the ways in which his lyrics depict the plight of the blue collar worker. Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE.com, 29 July 2022 See More 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 woodwind instrument usually in the form of a curved metal tube with keys used to change pitch and a mouthpiece with a single reed
saxophonist
noun
as in pianist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- pianist
- trombonist
- guitarist
- percussionist
- clarinetist
- trumpeter
- violinist
- flutist
- drummer
- keyboardist
- flautist
- bassoonist
- accordionist
- cornetist
- clarinettist
- oboist
- harpist
- organist
- violist
- hornist
- soloist
- reedman
- fiddler
- piper
- symphonist
- virtuoso
- accompanist
- artist
- cornettist
- recitalist
- maestro
- picker
- performer
- organ-grinder
- musician
- instrumentalist
- minstrel
- player