banjo

noun

ban·​jo ˈban-(ˌ)jō 

plural banjos also banjoes

: a musical instrument with a drumlike body, a fretted neck, and usually four or five strings which may be plucked or strummed

banjoist

ˈban-ˌjō-ist 

noun

Illustration of banjo

Examples of banjo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The band, in this case, contributes a banjo ukulele, an organ, and a pedal steel guitar, among other things, to get that country feeling just right. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2026

And with fiddles, accordions, guitars and her current instrument of choice, the minstrel banjo. — Chris Willman, Variety, 25 June 2026

In the just-visiting category, folksinger Sam Amidon happened to be in Toronto for tour dates and swung by Shabason’s home studio to lay down banjo and fiddle tracks. — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 18 June 2026

Traditionally played on string instruments like the dulcimer, fiddle, and banjo, this distinctly twangy genre passed down religious hymns, ballads, and folktales through generations. — Hillary Richard, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably of African origin; akin to Kimbundu mbanza, a similar instrument

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing banjo

• banjo clock

Rhymes for banjo

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• barbeau
• bateau

Kids Definition

banjo

noun

ban·​jo ˈban-jō 

plural banjos also banjoes

: a musical instrument with a round body like a drum, a long fretted neck, and four or five strings

banjoist

-ˌjō-ist 

noun