trombone

noun

trom·​bone träm-ˈbōn 

(ˌ)trəm-ˈbōn,

ˈträm-ˌbōn

: a brass instrument consisting of a long cylindrical metal tube with two turns and having a movable slide or valves for varying the tone and a usual range one octave lower than that of the trumpet

trombonist

träm-ˈbō-nist 

(ˌ)trəm-ˈbō-

ˈträm-ˌbō-

noun

Illustration of trombone

Examples of trombone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This unexpected fusion is built on a reggaetón-pop foundation, enriched with elements of Afrobeat and instruments like the trombone, a nod to regional Mexican music. —Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 1 Aug. 2025

Your pianist, drummer, bassist, guitarist, maybe a lead trombone, lead woodwind, lead trumpet. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

Gardner, who has arranged two of the pieces that will be performed, also has been the trombone instructor for the students at the Summer Jazz Academy; besides playing instruments, some students will also sing in the show. —Jane Levere, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025

Have your group chats been missing a Bigfoot or trombone emoji? —Erin Neil, New Yorker, 23 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian, augmentative of tromba trumpet, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German trumba, trumpa trumpet

First Known Use

circa 1724, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for trombone

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone

Kids Definition

trombone

noun

trom·​bone träm-ˈbōn 

(ˌ)trəm-

: a brass wind instrument with a section that can slide in and out to make different tones

trombonist

-ˈbō-nəst 

noun

Etymology

from Italian trombone, literally "large trumpet," from tromba "trumpet"