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

Last winter, an Appalachian folk musician named Murphy Campbell discovered that her videos on YouTube had been used to create AI clones of her voice and banjo playing. — David Alm, Longreads, 1 Oct. 2026

Nobody ran on the field playing a banjo to defend America's honor. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

The hour captures Strings and his four-piece acoustic band — mandolin, upright bass, banjo and fiddle — in classic picking session formation, with a setlist that also includes selections from 2021’s Renewal. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 18 Sep. 2026

From late May through early September, weekly music jams with fiddles and banjos celebrate the area’s musical heritage. — Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 17 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