bass guitar

noun

plural bass guitars
: the lowest pitched type of guitar that typically has four to six heavy strings and a relatively long neck and is commonly electrically amplified

called also bass, electric bass

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bass guitar was in 1862

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bass guitar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bass%20guitar. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Entry added
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster