bassoon

noun

bas·​soon bə-ˈsün 

ba-

: a double-reed woodwind instrument having a long U-shaped conical tube connected to the mouthpiece by a thin metal tube and a usual range two octaves lower than that of the oboe

bassoonist

bə-ˈsü-nist 

ba-

noun

Illustration of bassoon

Examples of bassoon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The woodwind quintet—featuring flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn—has a repertoire that blends light classical favorites by composers like Mozart and Debussy with iconic themes from film scores. — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 5 July 2026

For the last two years, Brandon has performed the saxophone in our jazz ensembles while learning bassoon to perform in our wind ensemble and symphony orchestra. — Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026

After the pre-show, the evening began in earnest in the auditorium, where guest conductor Chia-Hsuan Lin led a crowd-pleasing program, thanks in part to principal bassoon Fei Xie, who was artistic consultant for the event. — Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026

Sure, The Adoration of the Earth, which opens the piece, begins with a quiet, eerie bassoon solo, but then there’s a violent explosion. — Luis Palomares, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French basson, from Italian bassone, from basso basso

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bassoon

• double bassoon

Rhymes for bassoon

• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• buffoon
• cartoon
• cocoon
• festoon
• gaboon
• harpoon
• immune
• impugn
• jejune

Kids Definition

bassoon

noun

bas·​soon bə-ˈsün 

ba-

: the woodwind instrument of the oboe family that plays the lowest part

bassoonist

-ˈsü-nəst 

noun