banjo

noun

ban·​jo ˈban-(ˌ)jō How to pronounce banjo (audio)
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 noun

Illustration of banjo

Illustration of banjo

Examples of banjo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fortunately, North Carolina’s Avetts aced the assignment with a soul-gripping version of George Harrison’s melodically rich proclamation of hope, this time inflected with fiddle and banjo. Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 20 May 2026 Sweet compared the Gulf Stream to a banjo string. Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026 The Nashville mainstays recorded Punching the Clown with Ryan Olson on production and Justin Vernon moonlighting on the banjo throughout. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 6 May 2026 Vernon also contributes banjo, while a six-part choir threads throughout the album. Spin Staff, SPIN, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for banjo

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of banjo was in 1708

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Banjo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/banjo. Accessed 27 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

banjo

noun
ban·​jo ˈban-jō How to pronounce banjo (audio)
plural banjos also banjoes
: a musical instrument with a round body like a drum, a long fretted neck, and four or five strings
banjoist noun

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