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

At around the same time, Leon Russell joined them on piano, bringing along his saxophone player and the great Nigerian percussionist Ambrose Campbell. —Alex Abramovich, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025

In the Northern Mexican style with saxophone, regional Mexican singer Tapy Quintero caps off a great year in his career with this nostalgic track. —Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2025

The band’s music, performed on flutes, saxophones, keyboard and percussion is elegant, earthy, and multidimensional, combining jazz, Asian, R&B, and many different styles from around the globe. —Dawn Giangiulio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025

Sleigh bells, make way for the saxophones. —Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 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