contrabass

1 of 2

noun

con·​tra·​bass ˈkän-trə-ˌbās How to pronounce contrabass (audio)
contrabassist noun

contrabass

2 of 2

adjective

: pitched lower than a bass instrument of the same type
a contrabass clarinet

Examples of contrabass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Threading their way through them toward the concert hall was an incongruous procession of young musicians in eveningwear, lugging cases of every shape and size for contrabasses, violins, ouds, cellos and darbukas. Deborah Danan, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026 The concert will include UCSD staff members Mark Dresser on contrabass, Steven Schick on percussion and Cory Smyth on piano. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026 Digital flutes, contrabass flutes, bamboo flutes, Mayan flutes. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 4 Dec. 2023 In 2021, López, who’s about six years younger than the others (who are all either 26 or 27), joined the troupe on the tololoche (a kind of Mexican contrabass). Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 27 June 2023 Part of this involved the work of a contrabass player, recording very low bass treatments. Carolyn Giardina, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Italian contrabbasso, from contra- + basso bass

First Known Use

Noun

1761, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contrabass was in 1761

Cite this Entry

“Contrabass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrabass. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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