violin

noun vi·o·lin \ ˌvī-ə-ˈlin \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of violin

:a bowed stringed instrument having four strings tuned at intervals of a fifth and a usual range from G below middle C upward for more than 4¹/₂ octaves and having a shallow body, shoulders at right angles to the neck, a fingerboard without frets, and a curved bridge

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violinist

play \ˌvī-ə-ˈli-nist\ noun

—

violinistic

play \ˌvī-ə-lə-ˈni-stik\ adjective

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Recent Examples of violin from the Web

MUSIC Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist: Mark Brampton, organ, with Maureen McCarty, violin, 12:15 p.m. July 19, 812 N. Jackson St., (414) 276-9814.

— elaine rewolinski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Performing Arts Calendar: Author visits, concerts and theater events July 16-22," 15 July 2017
Lee would regularly take out his violin to play and his waiters would sing opera.

— todd a. price, NOLA.com, "Do you remember Genghis Khan? A lost New Orleans restaurant," 4 July 2017
At Obama’s first inauguration, Yo-Yo Ma (cello) and Itzhak Perlman (violin) performed to a recording of themselves—because of the extreme cold on the day of the event, spokespeople said later. Sept 29, 2012.

— david pogue, Scientific American, "Is Lip Syncing a Form of Cheating?," 3 July 2017
Arizona's Susannah Cowley, wearing a long red dress (for some reason, red gowns were abundant Friday night), played a Hungarian folk dance on the violin.

— michelle matthews, AL.com, "Distinguished Young Women's second night of preliminaries concludes," 1 July 2017
Hip dips, also known as violin hips, don't indicate any problem with your health or appearance.

— suzannah weiss, Teen Vogue, "Instagrammers Are Reminding Us It's OK to Have "Hip Dips"," 24 June 2017
The violin sections of the Festival orchestra are stuffed with concertmasters, any one of whom could have played the concerto.

— christian hertzog, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Augustin Hadelich, orchestra astounding in Mainly Mozart concert," 23 June 2017
The Alba Trio is comprised of flute, violin, and cello.

— Lake County News-Sun, "Community Calendar," 19 June 2017
And music lovers of all skill levels will gather in dozens of cities for single-instrument jam sessions for everything from accordions, cellos and dulcimers to harmonica, ukuleles, violins and voices.

— harriet baskas, NBC News, "Swashbucklin’ by the Seashore, and Other June Vacation Ideas," 2 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'violin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of violin

Origin and Etymology of violin

borrowed from Italian violino, from viola "viola, viol" + -ino, diminutive suffix, going back to Latin -īnus ¹-ine

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1576

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VIOLIN Defined for English Language Learners

violin

noun

Definition of violin for English Language Learners

: a musical instrument that has four strings and that you usually hold against your shoulder under your chin and play with a bow

VIOLIN Defined for Kids

violin

noun vi·o·lin \ ˌvī-ə-ˈlin \

Definition of violin for Students

:a stringed musical instrument with four strings that is usually held against the shoulder under the chin and played with a bow

Learn More about violin

See words that rhyme with violin Spanish Central: Translation of violin Nglish: Translation of violin for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of violin for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about violin

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violin

Definition of violin

violinist

violinistic

Recent Examples of violin from the Web

Illustration of violin

Origin and Etymology of violin

VIOLIN Defined for English Language Learners

violin

Definition of violin for English Language Learners

VIOLIN Defined for Kids

violin

Definition of violin for Students

Learn More about violin

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violin

Definition of violin

violinist

violinistic

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violin

Definition of violin for English Language Learners

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Definition of violin for Students

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