clarinet

1 of 2

noun (1)

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 3½ octaves
clarinetist noun
or clarinettist
ˌkler-ə-ˈne-tist How to pronounce clarinet (audio)
ˌkla-rə-

Illustration of clarinet

Illustration of clarinet

clarinetist

2 of 2

noun (2)

clar·​i·​net·​ist
variants or clarinettist
ˌkler-ə-ˈne-tist How to pronounce clarinetist (audio)
ˌkla-rə-
plural -s
: a performer on the 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.
Noun
The three-part harmonies Banks crafted for voice, clarinet and soprano sax, while only briefly featured, were stunning. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 The woodwind quintet—featuring flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn—has a repertoire that blends light classical favorites by composers like Mozart and Debussy with iconic themes from film scores. — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 5 July 2026 The service opened with a clarinet performance from Kenny G and included speeches from Davis' sons Fred and Doug as well as Warwick, Manilow, Keys and Springsteen. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 Greenspan played the clarinet and saxophone and briefly attended the Juilliard School. — Marty Steinberg, CNBC, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for clarinet

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

German klarinettist, from klarinette clarinet (from French clarinette) + -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1733, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clarinet was in 1733

Rhymes for clarinet

See All Rhymes for clarinet

Browse Nearby Words

clarina
clarinet
clarinetist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clarinet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clarinet. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

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
ˌklar-ə-ˈnet-əst How to pronounce clarinet (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on clarinet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clarinet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of devolve

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All