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

Post-Beatles when all the saxophone solos suddenly became guitar solos. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026

The project offers more of those syrupy melodics, with Shimmy’s distinct, saxophone-like vocals guiding listeners through a romantic landscape. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026

The saxophone line in the film became a foreboding signal to viewers that something bad was about to happen. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026

According to Long Beach jazz station KKJZ, which also memorialized Johnson’s death, Johnson learned saxophone from his father and attended Westlake School of Music in Los Angeles after his Army service in 1951. — Los Angeles Times, 21 July 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