woodwind

noun

wood·​wind ˈwu̇d-ˌwind 

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

Examples of woodwind in a Sentence

He plays all the woodwind instruments very well.

Recent Examples on the Web

Eventually, the natural order establishes itself, with chirping woodwinds and fiery violins. —The New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2023

André announced his debut solo album New Blue Sun on Tuesday — an 8-track project entirely made up of instrumental woodwind music set to drop on Friday. —Ilana Kaplan, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023

Then, in early takes with woodwinds player Tom Scott, drummer John Guerin, bassist Max Bennett and others on the eventual album, the songs slowly take shape. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2023

Mid-bass speakers add detail that woofers and subwoofers miss, while mid-range speakers provide additional clarity to vocals, guitars, and woodwinds. —Jack Baruth, Popular Mechanics, 6 Sep. 2023

At Darmstadt, the musicians in this chamber ensemble — including singers, woodwinds, brasses, an accordion and two double basses — prerecorded a take on No. 443 the day before the concert. —Seth Colter Walls, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2023

To capture Midler’s exquisite comedic timing along with Winifred Sanderson’s dark side, Debney mixed whimsical instruments like xylophones and marimbas with low woodwinds like bass clarinet and bassoon. —Lindsay Kusiak, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Aug. 2023

From the outset, Zhang projected a vibrant presence from the podium, choosing flexible tempos and projecting a strong sense of the music’s character, including the searching tenderness of Copland’s prayerful writing for woodwinds. —Jeremy Eichler, BostonGlobe.com, 24 July 2023

The violins were tuning, the woodwinds warming up and the trumpets blaring bits of Mahler. —James Estrin Javier C. Hernández, New York Times, 28 May 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing woodwind

• woodwind section

• woodwind section

Kids Definition

woodwind

noun

wood·​wind ˈwu̇d-ˌwind 

1

: one of a group of musical instruments including flutes, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, and sometimes saxophones compare brass instrument, percussion instrument, stringed instrument

2

plural : the woodwind instruments of a band or orchestra

woodwind adjective