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

With its riveting trombone and smashing rhythms, the music exhilarated. —Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026

Born April 28, 1950 in the Bronx neighborhood of New York City, Colón learned to play trumpet and trombone from a young age, signing to Fania Records at age 15. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 21 Feb. 2026

That trombone of yours, with its rebellious and unique sound, forever changed the history of our Latin music. —Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026

Born in the South Bronx of New York City in 1950 and raised in a Puerto Rican household, Colón took to music at an early age, learning to play the trumpet and trombone. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 21 Feb. 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"