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

Seven clarinets, three flutes, three saxophones, two trumpets and a trombone, worth a total of about $15,000, were taken, according to an Orange County Sheriff’s Office report. —Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026

Behind the row of protesters, a small jazz band with drums, a trombone and saxophone has started playing. —Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026

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

Once again there were some fuzzy details and occasional balance issues, but when the horns, trumpets and trombones spoke in one urgent voice in the Finale, the audience heard it clearly. —Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 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"