cello
noun
cel·lo
ˈche-(ˌ)lō 
plural cellos also celli
ˈche-lē
: the bass member of the violin family tuned an octave below the viola
Examples of cello in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The show will feature music by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla, with Alyze Dreiling on violin, Lorie Kirkell on cello and Irina Bendetsky on piano.
—
La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026
Ultimately, Orcutt and Fratti landed on a set of compositions that conjure an aching sense of nostalgia and familiarity through cello and guitar melodies that interweave and blossom like a trellis-climbing vine.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 22 May 2026
For example, the orchestra performs Iain Farrington’s transformation of Claude Debussy’s Cello Sonata — originally a cello and piano piece — into a work for chamber orchestra.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 22 May 2026
Sarah Koo, busy as a lecturer at UC Irvine in cello and chamber music as well as raising young children, comes back year after year to assess the instrumental artists.
—Theresa Walker, Oc Register, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for cello
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.
La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026
Ultimately, Orcutt and Fratti landed on a set of compositions that conjure an aching sense of nostalgia and familiarity through cello and guitar melodies that interweave and blossom like a trellis-climbing vine.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 22 May 2026
For example, the orchestra performs Iain Farrington’s transformation of Claude Debussy’s Cello Sonata — originally a cello and piano piece — into a work for chamber orchestra.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 22 May 2026
Sarah Koo, busy as a lecturer at UC Irvine in cello and chamber music as well as raising young children, comes back year after year to assess the instrumental artists.
—Theresa Walker, Oc Register, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for cello
Cite this Entry
“Cello.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cello. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cello
noun
cel·lo
ˈchel-ō
plural cellos
: a large musical instrument of the violin family that plays the bass or tenor part
Etymology
shortened form of violoncello
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
