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

saxophonic

ˌsak-sə-ˈfō-nik 

-ˈfä-

adjective

saxophonist

ˈsak-sə-ˌfō-nist 

 especially British  sak-ˈsä-fə-

noun

Illustration of saxophone

Examples of saxophone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The prodigious musician played cascading melodies on the keyboard and dropped a saxophone solo in between working the stage and the crowd with his suave dance moves. —Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 3 Aug. 2025

Outside of work, Quintero enjoys taking photos at places like Balboa Park and playing flute and saxophone — from classic music like Mozart to jazz hits of the 1950s and ’60s. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025

Josiah will play the saxophone for JCSU’s marching band while his brothers Zachariah and Isaiah will play the drums and trumpet, respectively. —Abigail Pender, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2025

The sessions feature Fogerty’s sons Shane and Tyler on guitars, with Matt Chamberlain on drums, Bob Malone on keys, Bob Glaub on bass, and Rob Stone on saxophone. —Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 29 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Antoine-Joseph (or Adolphe) Sax †1894 Belgian instrument maker + French -phone

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for saxophone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone

Kids 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

saxophonist

-ˌfō-nəst 

noun

Etymology

named for Antoine "Adolph" Sax 1814–1894 a Belgian maker of musical instruments