Illustration of banjo
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
Examples of banjo in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Casa Bonita Quintet, as they’re called on the face of the kick drum, consists of forest animals playing piano and strumming a banjo and other instruments.
—
John Wenzel, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Brown became the first woman to win an IBMA instrumental award when she was named banjo player of the year in 1991.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025
For Best Traditional, expect fiddles, pedal steel, banjo, and mandolin on many of the albums — and both newcomers and country legends alike nominated for awards.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
Only a genius as idiosyncratic as Steve Martin could have banjo-playing on his resumé.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for banjo
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.
John Wenzel, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Brown became the first woman to win an IBMA instrumental award when she was named banjo player of the year in 1991.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025
For Best Traditional, expect fiddles, pedal steel, banjo, and mandolin on many of the albums — and both newcomers and country legends alike nominated for awards.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
Only a genius as idiosyncratic as Steve Martin could have banjo-playing on his resumé.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for banjo
Cite this Entry
“Banjo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/banjo. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share