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

Stop the trumpets, trombones and saxophones for a minute. —Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025

The dining car turns out fine delicacies with Italian flair, while the lounge car hops with finger-snapping tunes by a piano, saxophone, clarinet trio. —Eleanor Flagler Hardy, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025

The melody is carried as a saxophone and sousaphone join in. —Jenny Adams, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025

Elsewhere is a framed photo of Springsteen’s guitar and Clarence Clemons’ saxophone. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 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