Illustration of mandolin
- mandolin 1
mandolin
noun
man·do·lin
ˌman-də-ˈlin 
ˈman-də-lən
variants
or less commonly mandoline
ˌman-də-ˈlēn
ˈman-də-lən
1
: a musical instrument of the lute family that has a usually pear-shaped body and fretted neck and four to six pairs of strings
2
usually mandoline
[French, from Italian mandolino mandolin]
: a kitchen utensil with a blade for slicing and shredding
Examples of mandolin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The two groups combine their talents on this breezy, exquisitely performed instrumental, with a mesh of mandolin, banjo, bass, guitar and fiddle that capture the warm, lively essence of springtime.
—
Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 6 May 2024
The golden age of mandolin orchestras was from the late 1800s to the 1920s, when radio and records started to take off.
—Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 3 May 2024
With Garcia on banjo, Rowan playing guitar, and Grisman taking up mandolin duties, the ensemble also featured Kahn on bass.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2024
Steven Van Zandt: harmony and backing vocals, rhythm and lead guitars, mandolin (1975-1984, 1995, 1999-present).
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 15 Mar. 2024
From side-splitting stage comedies to a mandolin love story and a look at Ayesha Curry’s burgeoning acting career, there is a lot to see and do this weekend in the Bay Area.
—Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
Musician and professor Chris Waterman's liner notes to the 1985 compilation album, Juju Roots 1930s - 1950s (Rounder), describes how British companies brought banjos (as well as guitars, mandolins and country music records) to Nigeria.
—Aaron Cohen, NPR, 5 Apr. 2024
The guitarist also sings and plays keyboards, cello, harmonica and mandolin.
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024
Elders played fiddle and mandolin in Strait's band since 1984.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024
Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 6 May 2024
The golden age of mandolin orchestras was from the late 1800s to the 1920s, when radio and records started to take off.
—Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 3 May 2024
With Garcia on banjo, Rowan playing guitar, and Grisman taking up mandolin duties, the ensemble also featured Kahn on bass.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2024
Steven Van Zandt: harmony and backing vocals, rhythm and lead guitars, mandolin (1975-1984, 1995, 1999-present).
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 15 Mar. 2024
From side-splitting stage comedies to a mandolin love story and a look at Ayesha Curry’s burgeoning acting career, there is a lot to see and do this weekend in the Bay Area.
—Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
Musician and professor Chris Waterman's liner notes to the 1985 compilation album, Juju Roots 1930s - 1950s (Rounder), describes how British companies brought banjos (as well as guitars, mandolins and country music records) to Nigeria.
—Aaron Cohen, NPR, 5 Apr. 2024
The guitarist also sings and plays keyboards, cello, harmonica and mandolin.
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024
Elders played fiddle and mandolin in Strait's band since 1984.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mandolin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Mandolin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mandolin. Accessed 19 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mandolin
noun
man·do·lin
ˌman-də-ˈlin
ˈman-dᵊl-ən
variants
also mandoline
ˌman-də-ˈlēn
ˈman-dᵊl-ən
: a stringed instrument with a pear-shaped body and four to six pairs of strings played by plucking
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