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

Legend has it that Richards and others, including saxophone player Bobby Keys, kept playing after the song’s original end, not realizing that they were still being recorded. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026

And a bonus was the guest appearance of David Binney on saxophone who’d performed a brilliant set the previous night at the Gesu club. — Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Little Belgium has several astounding inventions to its name—French fries, waffles, and the saxophone, just to name a few. — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 6 July 2026

Two people are on saxophone and another two on trombone, plus three more on bass, four on cello, and nearly a dozen violinists. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2026

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