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.
Martin is set to release a new album in 2025 with banjo player Alison Brown, featuring collaborations with notable musicians like Tim O'Brien. Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 Bring your supper, spread a blanket and listen to musician and storyteller Bill Wellington play traditional folk music on fiddle, banjo and guitar. Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 22 June 2025 For your downtime Going out Concerts: Rhiannon Giddens is bringing banjo and Black music history to the Hollywood Bowl this week. Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025 Al Jardine, 82 Born in Lima, Ohio, on Sept. 3, 1942, and raised in Hawthorne, Calif., with the rest of his bandmates, Jardine, who reportedly had a strong interest in the banjo, pushed for a more folksy Beach Boys sound, but was overruled by the rest of the band. Nicole Briese, People.com, 11 June 2025 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 15 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on banjo

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