clarinet

noun

clar·​i·​net ˌkler-ə-ˈnet 

ˌkla-rə-;

ˈkler-ə-nət, 

ˈkla-rə-

: a single-reed woodwind instrument having a cylindrical tube with a moderately flared bell and a usual range from D below middle C upward for 3½ octaves

clarinetist noun

or clarinettist

ˌkler-ə-ˈne-tist 

ˌkla-rə-

Illustration of clarinet

Examples of clarinet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His father, a naval petty officer, played the clarinet, his sister played the piano, and his older brother was a violinist. —CBS News, 26 May 2026

His father, a naval petty officer, played the clarinet, his sister played the piano, and his older brother was a violinist. —ABC News, 25 May 2026

There’s something that just feels right about being in Macca’s universe, any time a clarinet shows up. —Chris Willman, Variety, 23 May 2026

In 1914 the family moved to Little Rock, where Powell sang in high school productions and learned to play several instruments including the cornet, clarinet and saxophone. —Arkansas Online, 16 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

French clarinette, probably ultimately from Medieval Latin clarion-, clario

First Known Use

1733, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for clarinet

• alphabet
• arpanet
• bassinet
• bayonet
• biuret
• cigarette
• coronet
• coverlet
• dataset
• epithet
• ethernet
• heavyset

Kids Definition

clarinet

noun

clar·​i·​net ˌklar-ə-ˈnet 

ˈklar-ə-nət

: a woodwind musical instrument in the shape of a cylindrical tube having a single-reed mouthpiece

clarinetist noun

or clarinettist

ˌklar-ə-ˈnet-əst