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

Roberts continues to play the alto saxophone, an instrument that his dad, Brian Roberts, also plays. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026

The photos, however, recently took on a new life after Maria paired them with TikTok's popular saxophone trend. —Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026

Even in the boiler room at the hospital, the saxophone was so loud that the people from the ward still came and said, ‘Shut up! —Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 28 May 2026

But by age 11, Rollins became fascinated with the saxophone, and persuaded his parents to buy him one — an alto. —CBS News, 26 May 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