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

Commissioned by Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works program, the music features Simon’s trio with special guest Chris Potter on tenor saxophone and bass clarinet, and the Del Sol Quartet, the Bay Area’s go-to string ensemble for new music exploration. —Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026

Simmons, who plays clarinet, usually stays in the band through the halftime performance and then races to change into his cheer outfit for the second half. —Nashville Tennessean, 26 Dec. 2025

Musical instruments Musical instruments can be pricey to replace, so leaving you child's wooden clarinet in the back seat during a snowstorm is a bad idea. —Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Dec. 2025

Growing up alongside his older brother, Rome, Cole played the piano and the clarinet, per a 2021 Instagram post from Bret. —Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 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