mandolin

noun

man·​do·​lin ˌman-də-ˈlin 

ˈman-də-lən

variants or less commonly mandoline

ˌman-də-ˈlēn 

ˈman-də-lən

1

: a musical instrument of the lute family that has a usually pear-shaped body and fretted neck and four to six pairs of strings

2

usually mandoline [French, from Italian mandolino mandolin] : a kitchen utensil with a blade for slicing and shredding

mandolinist

ˌman-də-ˈli-nist 

noun

Illustration of mandolin

• mandolin 1

Examples of mandolin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Oldest sibling Danielle plays mandolin, James plays banjo and resonator guitar, his twin, Mark, plays guitar and Michael plays fiddle. —Jenelyn Russo, Oc Register, 26 Nov. 2025

Kelley’s warm, conversational singing style is astutely complemented by warm guitar, banjo and mandolin. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2025

Austin had played mandolin in the Yonder Mountain String Band, one of Snider’s favorites, and Casal had performed with Snider in the group Hard Working Americans. —Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025

The band includes long-time musicians Michael Williams (guitar and vocals), Peter Sharpe (mandolin and vocals), Lenny Bole (banjo and dobro), and Given Harrison (bass and vocals). —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian mandolino, diminutive of mandola

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mandolin

• aneurin
• crystallin
• eosin
• porphyrin
• underpin
• violin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin
• foreskin

Kids Definition

mandolin

noun

man·​do·​lin ˌman-də-ˈlin 

ˈman-dᵊl-ən

variants also mandoline

ˌman-də-ˈlēn 

ˈman-dᵊl-ən

: a stringed instrument with a pear-shaped body and four to six pairs of strings played by plucking