violin

noun

vi·​o·​lin ˌvī-ə-ˈlin How to pronounce violin (audio)
: 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
violinist noun
violinistic adjective

Illustration of violin

Illustration of violin
  • 1 bridge
  • 2 sound hole
  • 3 soundboard
  • 4 fingerboard
  • 5 pegs
  • 6 scroll
  • 7 tailpiece
  • g G-string
  • d D-string
  • a A-string
  • e E-string

Examples of violin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Simone Kjolsrud remembered her daughter for being adventurous and someone who enjoyed being outdoors or playing the violin and cello. Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025 In the clip, which sees Reid's Lestat singing and sawing a violin, fans are treated to a brief snippet of Lestat's anthemic music. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025 Lu, who grew up playing violin and taught herself how to play the electric guitar, was still going to school for computer science in the Bay Area full-time, traveling back and forth between Los Angeles. John Lonsdale, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025 The set finds her playing guitar, bass, violin and banjo, while singing songs that feel both raw with emotion yet refined in delivery. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for violin

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of violin was circa 1576

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Violin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violin. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

violin

noun
vi·​o·​lin ˌvī-ə-ˈlin How to pronounce violin (audio)
1
: a stringed musical instrument with four strings that is usually held against the shoulder under the chin and played with a bow
2

More from Merriam-Webster on violin

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