double bass

noun

: the largest and lowest-pitched of the stringed instruments that is tuned in fourths
double bassist noun

Illustration of double bass

Illustration of double bass

Examples of double bass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In our house, our son has gone from playing clarinet to playing guitars and now a double bass. New Atlas, 6 June 2026 Common instruments in jazz include piano, double bass, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, and drums, with an emphasis on the mighty cymbal. René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 May 2026 The 750-seat Moody supplied an apt balance of sonic presence and spaciousness, although in a hall with such strong bass response the double basses could have used lighter touches. Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026 Sach also does impressive work on the double bass, as does Boz Martin-Jones as drummer Paul Motian. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for double bass

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of double bass was in 1728

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Cite this Entry

“Double bass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double%20bass. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

double bass

noun
: the largest instrument of the violin family

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