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

Supporters weigh what's next Just one month ago, Alan Crichton was playing saxophone at Graham Platner's primary night victory party. — Tamara Keith, NPR, 14 July 2026

Jazz is the most identifiable launchpad here, as Bideau, who plays saxophone on every cut, frequently channels the expansiveness Gary Bartz and Wayne Shorter brought to McCoy Tyner’s Extensions. — Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026

Cece had a boyfriend who played the saxophone and argued that knowledge should come from books. — Jessica Contrera, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

Legend has it that Richards and others, including saxophone player Bobby Keys, kept playing after the song’s original end, not realizing that they were still being recorded. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 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