clarinet

noun

clar·​i·​net ˌkler-ə-ˈnet 

ˌkla-rə-;

ˈkler-ə-nət, 

ˈkla-rə-

: a single-reed woodwind instrument having a cylindrical tube with a moderately flared bell and a usual range from D below middle C upward for 3½ octaves

clarinetist noun

or clarinettist

ˌkler-ə-ˈne-tist 

ˌkla-rə-

Illustration of clarinet

Examples of clarinet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Born March 14, 1945, in Maywood, Illinois, Parazaider studied classical clarinet before deciding, with friends from his teenage years, to start the rock band that would become Chicago. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 17 June 2026

Walter Parazaider, a founding member of Chicago who played several wind instruments in the band, including sax, flute, and clarinet, died on Wednesday after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2026

In our house, our son has gone from playing clarinet to playing guitars and now a double bass. —New Atlas, 6 June 2026

His father, a naval petty officer, played the clarinet, his sister played the piano, and his older brother was a violinist. —CBS News, 26 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

French clarinette, probably ultimately from Medieval Latin clarion-, clario

First Known Use

1733, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for clarinet

• alphabet
• arpanet
• bassinet
• bayonet
• biuret
• cigarette
• coronet
• coverlet
• dataset
• epithet
• ethernet
• heavyset

Kids Definition

clarinet

noun

clar·​i·​net ˌklar-ə-ˈnet 

ˈklar-ə-nət

: a woodwind musical instrument in the shape of a cylindrical tube having a single-reed mouthpiece

clarinetist noun

or clarinettist

ˌklar-ə-ˈnet-əst