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

The Sinaloa band sounds smooth without losing its key elements powered by clarinets, tuba, timbales and trombone. —Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2025

Isaac Charbeneau, Beech High The senior trombone player was named first chair in the top ensemble for Nashville Youth Jazz Ensemble and at Beech is a member of the symphonic, marching and jazz bands at Beech High and was selected last year to Mid-State Jazz and Concert bands. —Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025

The festival invites anyone with a trumpet, saxophone, baritone, flute, violin or trombone to play. —Lulu Jaeckel, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025

The Marching Illini is a group Jason Kazin, a 2018 Stagg graduate and current marching band staff member, knows well, given his four years as a trombone player there. —Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025

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"