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 The award-winning symphonic band of more than 75 area musicians welcomes renowned saxophone soloist Rob Verdi, whose performance will feature his unique collection of instruments, including a sopranino sax, contrabass sax and an original 1880 sax from Adolphe Sax, the instrument’s creator. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024 Born and raised in New York, Cables moved to Los Angeles in 1971 as a member of tenor sax great Joe Henderson’s band. Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2024 Here, the famed pianist enlists Butch Warren's feel-it-in-your-bones upright bass along with Charlie Rouse's smooth-as-a-scotch nightcap tenor sax. Tim Moffatt, EW.com, 17 Nov. 2023 And from the sax player to the drummer, that band was a knockout. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2024 Its arrangement is pristine and intoxicating: yearning strings, stately brass, a tenor sax that coils itself around the lush oohs and ahhs of the track's backup singers like a satin ribbon. Jason Lamphier, EW.com, 17 Dec. 2023 Every detail is perfect: Robertson’s guitar, Rick Danko’s voice, Garth Hudson’s sax. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 10 Aug. 2023 There was a lot of sax, cheesy choreography, and a wild breakdown, but Cyrus’s impromptu comments stole the show. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2024 On the service right now are films such as Blazing Saddles, California Split, Chinatown, and noted sax scene-haver The Conversation — all of which are celebrating the big 5-0. Vulture, 18 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sax.' 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

circa 1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sax was circa 1923

Dictionary Entries Near sax

Cite this Entry

“Sax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sax. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sax

noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sax

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