clarinet

noun

clar·​i·​net ˌkler-ə-ˈnet How to pronounce clarinet (audio)
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

Illustration of clarinet

Illustration of clarinet

Examples of clarinet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The clarinet and piano played musical lines imitating birds. Rebecca Coffey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 The film culminates with an escalating parade of pain inflicted on Marv and Harry, and John deftly varied the pace and intensity of his cartooning — with heavy use of pizzicato strings, triangle, and legato bass clarinets — to match the progression. Tim Greiving, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025 Lulu, in her signature curly white wig, dunce cap, and exaggeratedly feminine makeup, and Albert, with his bulbous red nose, would entertain with a lively comedy and musical revue; Lulu played the bagpipes, clarinet, saxophone, coronet, and piano, among other instruments. April White, JSTOR Daily, 18 Aug. 2025 Senior High School, dozens of students with matching backpacks walked through the front gates, serenaded by the school’s band, which included a tuba, two clarinets, a trumpet, a trombone, and drums. Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clarinet

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1733, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clarinet was in 1733

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clarinet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clarinet. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

clarinet

noun
clar·​i·​net ˌklar-ə-ˈnet How to pronounce clarinet (audio)
ˈklar-ə-nət
: a woodwind musical instrument in the shape of a cylindrical tube having a single-reed mouthpiece
clarinetist noun
or clarinettist

More from Merriam-Webster on clarinet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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