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

Senior High School, dozens of students with matching backpacks walked through the front gates, serenaded by the school’s band, which included a tuba, two clarinets, a trumpet, a trombone, and drums. —Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025

In Friedman’s fourth season, then-principal trombone Robert Lambert went on a sick leave that became permanent. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025

This unexpected fusion is built on a reggaetón-pop foundation, enriched with elements of Afrobeat and instruments like the trombone, a nod to regional Mexican music. —Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 1 Aug. 2025

Your pianist, drummer, bassist, guitarist, maybe a lead trombone, lead woodwind, lead trumpet. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 10 June 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"