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

She’s visibly relieved to learn that the potential young father plays the saxophone. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 9 Jan. 2026

Commissioned by Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works program, the music features Simon’s trio with special guest Chris Potter on tenor saxophone and bass clarinet, and the Del Sol Quartet, the Bay Area’s go-to string ensemble for new music exploration. —Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026

With 10 minutes to spare before a rally at the intersection of 45th Street and Lamar Boulevard, at least 50 protesters were already showing up with drums, saxophones, homemade signs and fluttering American flags to protest ICE's killing of 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good. —Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026

His band includes Temidayo Balogun on saxophone and talking drums, Zach Walgren on bass and Emmanuel Chidiebere on drums. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 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