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

Distinguished from others by his years of classical training studying saxophone at Cuba’s National School of Music, Mustelier Oruña stands among a new generation of artists pushing the genre forward. —Ana González Vilá, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025

The clip, filmed from a few feet away, shows the saxophone player continuing unfazed as the Dalmatian raises its snout and vocalizes in rhythm. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025

Fraser Smith Quartet, Archer Street Paul Allen/ Andfotography2 Fraser Smith’s tenor saxophone playing pays homage to the greats while offering a modern twist, while his vocal stylings channel the smooth tones of Chet Baker and Frank Sinatra. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Pascoal performed masterfully on keyboards, saxophones, bass clarinet, accordion and an array of other instruments. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 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