bassoon

1 of 2

noun (1)

bas·​soon bə-ˈsün How to pronounce bassoon (audio)
ba-
: 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
bassoonist
bə-ˈsü-nist How to pronounce bassoon (audio)
ba-
noun

Illustration of bassoon

Illustration of bassoon

bassoonist

2 of 2

noun (2)

bas·​soon·​ist bə-ˈsü-nist How to pronounce bassoonist (audio)
ba-
plural -s
: a bassoon player

Examples of bassoon 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.
Noun
Groans resembling bassoons and didgeridoos leakedfrom the hog house as groggy pigs stirred. — Bennet Goldstein, jsonline.com, 4 July 2025 Sure, The Adoration of the Earth, which opens the piece, begins with a quiet, eerie bassoon solo, but then there’s a violent explosion. — Luis Palomares, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026 For the last two years, Brandon has performed the saxophone in our jazz ensembles while learning bassoon to perform in our wind ensemble and symphony orchestra. — Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026 The oboe, bassoon and piano ensemble has garnered international recognition during its 20-year history. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bassoon

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French basson, from Italian bassone, from basso basso

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1715, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bassoon was in 1715

Phrases Containing bassoon

Rhymes for bassoon

See All Rhymes for bassoon

Browse Nearby Words

basson russe
bassoon
bassoonist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bassoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bassoon. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bassoon

noun
bas·​soon bə-ˈsün How to pronounce bassoon (audio)
ba-
: the woodwind instrument of the oboe family that plays the lowest part
bassoonist
-ˈsü-nəst How to pronounce bassoon (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on bassoon

Nglish: Translation of bassoon for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bassoon

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