Illustration of saxophone
saxophone
noun
sax·o·phone
ˈsak-sə-ˌfōn 
: one of a group of single-reed woodwind instruments usually ranging from soprano to bass and characterized by a conical metal tube and finger keys
Examples of saxophone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Shaw’s tenor saxophone has the affect of a vital organ—something pulsing unconsciously underneath the more willful mechanics of a body (or in this case, band) in motion.
—
Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 17 Feb. 2026
But the composer also makes great use of the saxophone, which playfully dances through melodies that transport the viewer back to the swinging '60s and evokes the spirit of Henry Mancini.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Among the missing are Angus the bassist, Phyllis the mail-delivering puppet, Holstein, who was holding an intricate saxophone prop, and Dumont, who had a television stand.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Over the years, the exemptions have been taken to include candidates who appear on talk shows like The Tonight Show and The View, appearances that have become much more commonplace since Bill Clinton played the saxophone on The Arsenio Hall Show during the 1992 presidential campaign.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for saxophone
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Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 17 Feb. 2026
But the composer also makes great use of the saxophone, which playfully dances through melodies that transport the viewer back to the swinging '60s and evokes the spirit of Henry Mancini.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Among the missing are Angus the bassist, Phyllis the mail-delivering puppet, Holstein, who was holding an intricate saxophone prop, and Dumont, who had a television stand.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Over the years, the exemptions have been taken to include candidates who appear on talk shows like The Tonight Show and The View, appearances that have become much more commonplace since Bill Clinton played the saxophone on The Arsenio Hall Show during the 1992 presidential campaign.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for saxophone
Cite this Entry
“Saxophone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saxophone. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
saxophone
noun
sax·o·phone
ˈsak-sə-ˌfōn
: a musical instrument of the woodwind class consisting of a usually curved metal tube with finger keys and a reed mouthpiece
Etymology
named for Antoine "Adolph" Sax 1814–1894 a Belgian maker of musical instruments
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