bassoon

noun

bas·​soon bə-ˈsün How to pronounce bassoon (audio)
ba-
: a double-reed woodwind instrument having a long U-shaped conical tube connected to the mouthpiece by a thin metal tube and a usual range two octaves lower than that of the oboe
bassoonist noun

Illustration of bassoon

Illustration of bassoon

Examples of bassoon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The funeral march may here and there have been in slight violation of Mahler’s instruction not to drag, but was brightened by darting oboes and mournful bassoons. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2023 To capture Midler’s exquisite comedic timing along with Winifred Sanderson’s dark side, Debney mixed whimsical instruments like xylophones and marimbas with low woodwinds like bass clarinet and bassoon. Lindsay Kusiak, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Aug. 2023 Jazz in the 21st century has embraced many instruments beyond the conventional ones—such as the bassoon, French horn, viola and accordion—so why not the harp? Martin Johnson, WSJ, 14 June 2023 The orchestra took full advantage of this slow roll — Kevin Carlson’s trombone, Aaron Goldman’s flute, Sue Heineman’s bassoon and Dana Booher’s tenor saxophone each took star turns in the grand procession toward that cataclysmic plummet of a modulation toward the end. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 20 May 2022 Luckily for those of us trying to get the twins to their bassoon lesson, the neighbor's kid to curling practice, and Grandpa to his ceramics class, sensible and useful machines such as the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Grand Highlander put a smaller dent in the wallet than McLarens and Koenigseggs. Elana Scherr, Car and Driver, 30 Aug. 2023 The reduction of Haydn’s Finale from Symphony No. 7 in C major dropped horns, bassoons, and oboes; the violin solos had less impact because the string section was reduced, but the perky flute part remained, enchantingly rendered by Rose Lombardo. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2023 Crockett is the principal bassoon for the L.A. Philharmonic. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2023 Spoonmore said that Yarl has been suffering from migraines since the shooting, which has limited his ability to play his favorite musical instruments – the clarinet and the bassoon. Deena Zaru, ABC News, 29 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bassoon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French basson, from Italian bassone, from basso basso

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bassoon was in 1715

Dictionary Entries Near bassoon

Cite this Entry

“Bassoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bassoon. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

bassoon

noun
bas·​soon bə-ˈsün How to pronounce bassoon (audio)
ba-
: the woodwind instrument of the oboe family that plays the lowest part
bassoonist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on bassoon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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