banjo

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

banjoist

2 of 2

noun (2)

ban·​jo·​ist ˈban-ˌjō-ist 

plural -s

: a banjo player

Examples of banjo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 2023, the comedian, actor, writer, and banjo virtuoso Steve Martin was walking through SoHo, followed closely by two men holding a laptop. — David Owen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

The song features Alison Brown on banjo, Becky Buller on fiddle, Sierra Hull on mandolin, Missy Raines on bass and Molly Tuttle on guitar. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

The group’s Barry Bales is up for bass player of the year, Jerry Douglas is up for resophonic guitar player of the year, Ron Block is up for banjo player of the year and Russell Moore is up for male vocalist of the year. — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2026

Siby’s never forgotten the young cook and banjo player who swapped shifts with him. — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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