saxophone

noun

sax·​o·​phone ˈsak-sə-ˌfōn 

: one of a group of single-reed woodwind instruments usually ranging from soprano to bass and characterized by a conical metal tube and finger keys

saxophonic

ˌsak-sə-ˈfō-nik 

-ˈfä-

adjective

saxophonist

ˈsak-sə-ˌfō-nist 

 especially British  sak-ˈsä-fə-

noun

Illustration of saxophone

Examples of saxophone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scher had been listening to the music since his brother Les, a saxophone player, turned him on to it. —David Kushner, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2025

Legacy is on McCray’s mind — and illustrated on the new eatery’s dining room walls, where archways frame lively murals of Black, white and Hispanic folks dancing and playing saxophone. —Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 14 July 2025

Godwin also was a football-playing lover of fishing and hunting who was a first-chair saxophone player in his high school band. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

The theft ultimately resulted in the loss of nine guitars, a saxophone belonging to Bobby Keys, and Bill Wyman’s bass guitar. —Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 15 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Antoine-Joseph (or Adolphe) Sax †1894 Belgian instrument maker + French -phone

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for saxophone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone

Kids Definition

saxophone

noun

sax·​o·​phone ˈsak-sə-ˌfōn 

: a musical instrument of the woodwind class consisting of a usually curved metal tube with finger keys and a reed mouthpiece

saxophonist

-ˌfō-nəst 

noun

Etymology

named for Antoine "Adolph" Sax 1814–1894 a Belgian maker of musical instruments