bassoon

noun

bas·​soon bə-ˈsün 

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

bə-ˈsü-nist 

ba-

noun

Illustration of bassoon

Examples of bassoon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Groans resembling bassoons and didgeridoos leakedfrom the hog house as groggy pigs stirred. — Bennet Goldstein, jsonline.com, 4 July 2025

Sure, The Adoration of the Earth, which opens the piece, begins with a quiet, eerie bassoon solo, but then there’s a violent explosion. — Luis Palomares, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026

For the last two years, Brandon has performed the saxophone in our jazz ensembles while learning bassoon to perform in our wind ensemble and symphony orchestra. — Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026

The oboe, bassoon and piano ensemble has garnered international recognition during its 20-year history. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French basson, from Italian bassone, from basso basso

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bassoon

• double bassoon

Rhymes for bassoon

• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• buffoon
• cartoon
• cocoon
• festoon
• gaboon
• harpoon
• immune
• impugn
• jejune

Kids Definition

bassoon

noun

bas·​soon bə-ˈsün 

ba-

: the woodwind instrument of the oboe family that plays the lowest part

bassoonist

-ˈsü-nəst 

noun