trombone

noun

trom·​bone träm-ˈbōn 

(ˌ)trəm-ˈbōn, 

ˈträm-ˌbōn

: a brass instrument consisting of a long cylindrical metal tube with two turns and having a movable slide or valves for varying the tone and a usual range one octave lower than that of the trumpet

trombonist

träm-ˈbō-nist 

(ˌ)trəm-ˈbō-, 

ˈträm-ˌbō-

noun

Illustration of trombone

Examples of trombone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her daughter, Victoria, is a sophomore trombone player. —Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026

The set’s energy was amplified by vocalist Kaleena Zanders, rapper ProbCause, a trumpet, a trombone and GRiZ himself playing sax throughout the set. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026

The play’s climactic title song is unquestionably a banger, with all the energy of a Bourbon Street funeral and an especially wonderful performance by Reginald Chapman wailing on the trombone. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Mar. 2026

One is by the CSO’s own Tim Higgins, recently tenured as the orchestra’s principal trombone. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian, augmentative of tromba trumpet, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German trumba, trumpa trumpet

First Known Use

circa 1724, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for trombone

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone

Kids Definition

trombone

noun

trom·​bone träm-ˈbōn 

(ˌ)trəm-

: a brass wind instrument with a section that can slide in and out to make different tones

trombonist

-ˈbō-nəst 

noun

Etymology

from Italian trombone, literally "large trumpet," from tromba "trumpet"