Definition of woodwind
1
: any of a group of wind instruments (such as a clarinet, flute, oboe, or saxophone) that are characterized by a cylindrical or conical tube of wood or metal usually ending in a slightly flared bell, that produce tones by the vibration of one or two reeds in the mouthpiece or by the passing of air over a mouth hole, and that usually have finger holes or keys by which the player may produce all the tones within an instrument's range
2
woodwinds plural
: the woodwind section of a band or orchestra
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for woodwind
The first known use of woodwind was in 1876
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