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 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

Joining the trombone are a treasure chest, distorted face, hairy creature that resembles Big Foot, ballet dancer, an orca, a landslide and a fight cloud. —Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 16 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

Since several of the pieces on the program are heavily focused on the band’s trombone section, Conductor Mitch Fennell has invited Alex Iles to perform as a soloist for four of them. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 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"