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

The experience reminded him of his saxophone-playing days as a teenager. — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Through this grant, New Britain received an influx of cellos, French horns, clarinets, flutes, saxophones, tubas, trombones, trumpets, violins and xylophones. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026

One man is an American autoworker; the other used to play saxophone solos in rock ’n’ roll songs. — Mark Ellwood, Air Mail, 22 Aug. 2026

Although Adolph Sax invented the saxophone in the mid-1800s as a classical instrument, most people associate it with jazz. — Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 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