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 3¹/₂ 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

The trumpets lend a romantic, even sensual touch to this anthem of desperate love, complemented by the vocals of Ricardo Yocupicio and Geovanni Mondragón and the rest of the instrumentation, which includes the essential tuba, clarinets, and horns. —Luisa Calle, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025

In a remarkable scene, a Parkinson's patient plays the clarinet during surgery. —FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025

The concert program listed Claude Debussy’s Premiere Rhapsodie for clarinet and piano as the next selection, but the ensemble didn’t play the number. —Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025

As Bacon played her clarinet while undergoing DPS, this offered surgeons immediate, audible evidence of the surgery's success, the release stated. —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025

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
• bayonet
• biuret
• cigarette
• coronet
• coverlet
• dataset
• epithet
• ethernet
• heavyset
• internet

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