banjo

noun

ban·​jo ˈban-(ˌ)jō 

plural banjos also banjoes

: a musical instrument with a drumlike body, a fretted neck, and usually four or five strings which may be plucked or strummed

banjoist

ˈban-ˌjō-ist 

noun

Illustration of banjo

Examples of banjo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Even the group’s name references the street address of lead singer and banjo player Eddie Isola’s childhood home in Maitland. —Zoey Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025

Attendees set up folding chairs in front of the outdoor stage to enjoy banjo, dobro, dulcimer, guitar, and autoharp performances. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 18 Aug. 2025

Avram was an amateur poet and her older brother David played the banjo. —Marc Snegg, Time, 7 Aug. 2025

Many tie country music's roots back to the banjo being a West African musical instrument that, as far back as the 17th century, gained renown when Black Africans were first brought to the Americas as enslaved people. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably of African origin; akin to Kimbundu mbanza, a similar instrument

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing banjo

• banjo clock

Rhymes for banjo

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• barbeau
• bateau

Kids Definition

banjo

noun

ban·​jo ˈban-jō 

plural banjos also banjoes

: a musical instrument with a round body like a drum, a long fretted neck, and four or five strings

banjoist

-ˌjō-ist 

noun