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
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At other times, Fratti turns her cello into a stand-up bass.
—
Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026
The string quartet works because four people each carry one role and the difference between the physics of each instrument provides a wide range of sound that covers most of the human ear’s musical range, from the cello’s low register to the violin’s high one.
—Rafael Pimentel Pinto, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Wygodny has written original music to subtly accompany Booth’s fable, lending the emotional subtext at points a penumbra of cello.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Composer Mac Quayle’s score plays a deep cello conveying deep dread.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 28 May 2026
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Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026
The string quartet works because four people each carry one role and the difference between the physics of each instrument provides a wide range of sound that covers most of the human ear’s musical range, from the cello’s low register to the violin’s high one.
—Rafael Pimentel Pinto, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Wygodny has written original music to subtly accompany Booth’s fable, lending the emotional subtext at points a penumbra of cello.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Composer Mac Quayle’s score plays a deep cello conveying deep dread.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 28 May 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 3 Jun. 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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