plural saxes
informal
: saxophone
plays sax in a local jazz ensemble
often used before another noun
a sax player
The transmission, as one editor put it, "is as smooth as a Paul Desmond sax solo."John Phillips

Examples of sax 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.
Murray spent much of the show out of the spotlight playing bongos, cowbell, shakers and wind chimes while his band members sang and brought the heat with soulful guitar solos and funky sax. Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025 Joining David on the song is Ulises Bella, one of the members of Mexican American band Ozomatli, who plays baritone and alto sax on the track. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025 The band’s distinctive sax adds a melancholic yet dramatic touch that, combined with the lyrics, invites us not to fall in love again without caution, avoiding hurt. Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025 The lineup boasts Grammy Award-winners Arturo O’Farrill, John Clayton, David Sánchez and Jorge Castillo, an all-star tribute to the late sax legend (and former San Diegan) James Moody, and such standout local artists as Gilbert Castellanos, Holly Hofmann, Irving Flores and Ivan Trujillo. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sax

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sax was circa 1923

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Cite this Entry

“Sax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sax. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

sax

noun
informal

More from Merriam-Webster on sax

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