clarinet

noun

clar·​i·​net ˌkler-ə-ˈnet How to pronounce clarinet (audio)
ˌkla-rə-;
ˈkler-ə-nət,
ˈkla-rə-
: a single-reed woodwind instrument having a cylindrical tube with a moderately flared bell and a usual range from D below middle C upward for 3¹/₂ octaves
clarinetist noun
or clarinettist

Illustration of clarinet

Illustration of clarinet

Examples of clarinet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In between, conductor Grete Pedersen leads works by Haydn and Mendelssohn, and Thomas Carroll is the basset clarinet soloist in Mozart’s late-life Clarinet Concerto in A Major. Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2024 Krane—who is not an engineer—thoughtfully explained the process of crafting a clarinet reed, earning Brin's approval. Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2024 The Colombian singer-songwriter began his music journey in Medellín, learning the clarinet before focusing on singing. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2024 Composers Josh Schmidt and Marius de Vries set the tone with a springy overture awash with strings and clarinets, and the rest of the score holds fast to that sense of denial. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for clarinet 

Word History

Etymology

French clarinette, probably ultimately from Medieval Latin clarion-, clario

First Known Use

1733, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clarinet was in 1733

Dictionary Entries Near clarinet

Cite this Entry

“Clarinet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clarinet. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

clarinet

noun
clar·​i·​net ˌklar-ə-ˈnet How to pronounce clarinet (audio)
ˈklar-ə-nət
: a woodwind musical instrument in the shape of a cylindrical tube having a single-reed mouthpiece
clarinetist noun
or clarinettist

More from Merriam-Webster on clarinet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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