cello

noun

cel·​lo ˈche-(ˌ)lō How to pronounce cello (audio)
plural cellos also celli ˈche-lē How to pronounce cello (audio)
: the bass member of the violin family tuned an octave below the viola

Examples of cello in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Little darts of flute and clarinet puncture the pulse of a modulated oscillator, with cello and violin casting long sentimental shadows. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Music by the Sea concert at library The Music by the Sea concert series continues with a performance by Logos, featuring violin, viola, cello and piano at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2024 As an 11-year-old, Brooke had been taking karate, soccer, cello and dance lessons and singing in a church choir. Sam Roberts, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2024 The trio will play chamber and contemporary works for violin, cello and piano in the Prentiss Brown Auditorium at Los Gatos High School at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $5-$65 at lgcca.org or at the door. Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2024 Before her accident, Brooke filled her after-school life with dance, sports, karate, cello lessons and choir practice. Emily Langer, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024 The opera has one performer, along with a percussionist and a cello player who interact with the performer as a child who is understood to be there but never seen, Gumbel says. Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2024 The San Diego Suzuki School of Music offers violin, viola and cello instruction for students age 4 and older. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2024 Battle ready: Symphony San Jose is presenting an unusual concert this weekend, one that pits the orchestra’s cello soloist, Yves Dhar, against an AI hologram. Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cello.' 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

short for violoncello

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cello was in 1855

Dictionary Entries Near cello

Cite this Entry

“Cello.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cello. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cello

noun
cel·​lo ˈchel-ō How to pronounce cello (audio)
plural cellos
: a large musical instrument of the violin family that plays the bass or tenor part
Etymology

shortened form of violoncello

More from Merriam-Webster on cello

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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