mandolin

noun

man·​do·​lin ˌman-də-ˈlin 

ˈman-də-lən

variants or less commonly mandoline

ˌman-də-ˈlēn 

ˈman-də-lən

1

: a musical instrument of the lute family that has a usually pear-shaped body and fretted neck and four to six pairs of strings

2

usually mandoline [French, from Italian mandolino mandolin] : a kitchen utensil with a blade for slicing and shredding

mandolinist

ˌman-də-ˈli-nist 

noun

Illustration of mandolin

• mandolin 1

Examples of mandolin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Since then, he's picked up skills on the guitar, mandolin and piano — and has also learned to record his own music. —Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026

There is also a palpable sense of joy in his music that reminds me of fellow mandolin greats Davis Grisman and Chris Thile, who have also taken their respetive instruments to new heights. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026

This man is wanted for stealing two $4,000 mandolins from a music store in Teaneck, New Jersey. —Nick Caloway, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025

One of the Gibson employees recognized Hull and gave her a mandolin from their Adam Steffey signature line. —Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian mandolino, diminutive of mandola

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mandolin

• aneurin
• crystallin
• eosin
• porphyrin
• underpin
• violin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin
• foreskin

Kids Definition

mandolin

noun

man·​do·​lin ˌman-də-ˈlin 

ˈman-dᵊl-ən

variants also mandoline

ˌman-də-ˈlēn 

ˈman-dᵊl-ən

: a stringed instrument with a pear-shaped body and four to six pairs of strings played by plucking