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

The lounge hosts monthly poetry nights, live saxophone and painting sessions, fundraisers and community discussions. —Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026

Just outside the main entrance of Spectrum Center, as a saxophone blared and drums rumbled and fans hummed past each other with life, there stood Bradley Davis. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026

His band often swelled to more than 30 members (including backup singers and dancers) and featured two bass guitars and two baritone saxophones. —Ian Brennan, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026

The iconic saxophone line, in turn, became a foreboding warning to viewers that something bad was about to happen on screen. —Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 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