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

Rodriguez plays saxophone and clarinet. —Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026

And on last year’s Uhlmann Johnson Wilkes, the borders between guitar, saxophone, and bass often disappeared, the individual identity of each player subsumed by the more mesmerizing whole. —Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 17 Mar. 2026

For the last two years, Brandon has performed the saxophone in our jazz ensembles while learning bassoon to perform in our wind ensemble and symphony orchestra. —Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026

With its soaring saxophone and sweeping vocal delivery, Junior channeled Luis Miguel vibes, cementing the night as an unforgettable experience. —Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 15 Mar. 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