guitar

noun

gui·​tar gə-ˈtär How to pronounce guitar (audio)
gi-
especially Southern and Midland US also ˈgi-ˌtär
: a flat-bodied stringed instrument with a long fretted neck and usually six strings played with a pick or with the fingers
guitarist
gə-ˈtär-ist How to pronounce guitar (audio)
gi-
noun

Illustration of guitar

Illustration of guitar
  • 1 electric
  • 2 acoustic

Examples of guitar 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.
The band continued a busy touring schedule into recent years, with the band’s longtime guitar tech, Elwood Francis, taking over for Hill — who had specifically requested before his death that Francis replace him — on bass. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026 Written after the 2022 death of drummer and friend Taylor Hawkins, the song felt like a moment of catharsis for Grohl, the emotion in his voice audible and his guitar playing an exorcism of emotional pain. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 Pop music is enchanted with electric guitar this year between the Charli XCX and Olivia Rodrigo rock albums. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026 Hiding behind a friend carrying a guitar, Goodman settled in behind percussionist Juma Sultan and was assumed to be a member of the sprawling film crew that had surrounded the entire event. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for guitar

Word History

Etymology

French guitare, from Spanish guitarra, from Arabic qītār, from Greek kithara cithara

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guitar was in 1668

Phrases Containing guitar

Rhymes for guitar

See All Rhymes for guitar

Browse Nearby Words

guisquil
guitar
guitar-fiddle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Guitar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guitar. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

guitar

noun
gui·​tar gə-ˈtär How to pronounce guitar (audio)
: a stringed instrument with a flat body, a long neck with frets, and usually six strings that are played with the fingers or with a pick
guitarist
-əst How to pronounce guitar (audio)
noun
Etymology

from French guitare "guitar," derived from Arabic qītār (same meaning)

More from Merriam-Webster on guitar

Nglish: Translation of guitar for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about guitar

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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