cello
noun
cel·lo
ˈche-(ˌ)lō 
plural cellos also celli
ˈche-lē
: the bass member of the violin family tuned an octave below the viola
Examples of cello in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The question of how to fly with a cello is a bugbear among many string players.
—
John Phipps, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026
In high school, Minnick played varsity baseball and tennis and the cello in orchestra.
—Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
In a Christmas special this year, a BBC One program devoted a quarter of its episode to telling the story of a Jewish child refugee whose cello was damaged while fleeing the Nazis on the Kindertransport.
—Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2026
Other artists on the track and video include William Barton (didgeridoo), Boboulaye Sissokho (kora), Macarena Montesinos (cello), Guarani Andeva Group (percussion), Iron Cult Dancers (dancers), Izzana Jaa (vocals), Ezequiel Acosta (bandoneón), and Erik Prevost David (trumpet).
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cello
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John Phipps, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026
In high school, Minnick played varsity baseball and tennis and the cello in orchestra.
—Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
In a Christmas special this year, a BBC One program devoted a quarter of its episode to telling the story of a Jewish child refugee whose cello was damaged while fleeing the Nazis on the Kindertransport.
—Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2026
Other artists on the track and video include William Barton (didgeridoo), Boboulaye Sissokho (kora), Macarena Montesinos (cello), Guarani Andeva Group (percussion), Iron Cult Dancers (dancers), Izzana Jaa (vocals), Ezequiel Acosta (bandoneón), and Erik Prevost David (trumpet).
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cello
Cite this Entry
“Cello.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cello. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cello
noun
cel·lo
ˈchel-ō
plural cellos
: a large musical instrument of the violin family that plays the bass or tenor part
Etymology
shortened form of violoncello
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