: a double-reed woodwind instrument having a long U-shaped conical tube connected to the mouthpiece by a thin metal tube and a usual range two octaves lower than that of the oboe
Recent Examples on the WebThe performance will feature the Atlantic Reed Consort, an ensemble made up of a bass clarinet, bassoon, clarinet, oboe and saxophone, as well as sopranos Colleen Daly and Laura Strickling.—Susan Soldavin, Baltimore Sun, 15 May 2024 Eight soloists, playing the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, viola and cello, are meant to represent the eight victims, according to the city.—James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2024 The energy was restored by a beefy, vivacious scherzo, boosted by sturdy bassoons and a gorgeous trio of horns.—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 Michelle has been an invaluable asset to our music program, primarily showcasing remarkable talent on the clarinet, tenor sax and bassoon.—Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024 The recording quality was coarse, and the score was loudly amplified, a solo bassoon in its mysterious high register sounding like a pigeon being tortured.—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024 Seemingly merry bassoons and seemingly sprightly flutes and oboes opened the rambunctious ländler of the second movement, its rhythm ushering us past its telling (and slightly demonic) dissonances.—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2024 The consort’s entire flute, oboe and bassoon section played beautifully, offering crisp conversation with tart strings stoked by conductor Dana Marsh.—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 11 Dec. 2023 Writing a bassoon sextet is a heady accomplishment for any teenager, let alone having it be premiered by McDermott and leading members of the San Diego Symphony at a Mainly Mozart opening-night concert.—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bassoon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
French basson, from Italian bassone, from bassobasso
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