Illustration of double bass
double bass
noun
: the largest and lowest-pitched of the stringed instruments that is tuned in fourths
Examples of double bass in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
According to her personal website, Jaouad attended the pre-college program for the double bass at The Juilliard School.
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Taiwo Balogun, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2023
At Darmstadt, the musicians in this chamber ensemble — including singers, woodwinds, brasses, an accordion and two double basses — prerecorded a take on No. 443 the day before the concert.
—Seth Colter Walls, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2023
Both theme songs make heavy use of the lower strings of violas, cellos and double basses, which further darken the sonic palette.
—Delia Casadei, The Conversation, 31 May 2023
The slap of the double bass strings on the fingerboard can be heard in their tiniest detail.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 3 May 2023
Higgins plays double bass and lives in Massachusetts.
—Amanda Gokee, BostonGlobe.com, 11 July 2023
Low slides for double basses and trombone are contrasted with high trumpet assertions and chatters (impressively played by Russell Campbell).
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 22 June 2023
Bill Lee played double bass in jazz groups in Atlanta and Chicago before moving to New York in 1959.
—Vulture, 24 May 2023
Here, too, double basses and cellos resonated like sonic pilings dug deeply into the symphonic earth, becoming the foundation of the longest symphony in the standard repertory.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2023
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Taiwo Balogun, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2023
At Darmstadt, the musicians in this chamber ensemble — including singers, woodwinds, brasses, an accordion and two double basses — prerecorded a take on No. 443 the day before the concert.
—Seth Colter Walls, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2023
Both theme songs make heavy use of the lower strings of violas, cellos and double basses, which further darken the sonic palette.
—Delia Casadei, The Conversation, 31 May 2023
The slap of the double bass strings on the fingerboard can be heard in their tiniest detail.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 3 May 2023
Higgins plays double bass and lives in Massachusetts.
—Amanda Gokee, BostonGlobe.com, 11 July 2023
Low slides for double basses and trombone are contrasted with high trumpet assertions and chatters (impressively played by Russell Campbell).
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 22 June 2023
Bill Lee played double bass in jazz groups in Atlanta and Chicago before moving to New York in 1959.
—Vulture, 24 May 2023
Here, too, double basses and cellos resonated like sonic pilings dug deeply into the symphonic earth, becoming the foundation of the longest symphony in the standard repertory.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'double bass.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1728, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near double bass
Cite this Entry
“Double bass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double%20bass. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
double bass
noun
: the largest instrument of the violin family
More from Merriam-Webster on double bass
Nglish: Translation of double bass for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about double bass
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