steel guitar

noun

plural steel guitars
: any of various electric or acoustic stringed instruments (such as the Hawaiian guitar, the pedal steel, or the lap steel) that feature a metal resonator or that are played by moving a rigid object (such as a steel or glass bar) against plucked strings
steel guitarist noun
plural steel guitarists

Examples of steel 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.
Then Silverada stepped into the spotlight and kicked off a two-hour set that made any handwringing about rebrands, steel guitars, and keyboards seem silly. Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026 It’s built on a sweltering steel guitar part, a lethal chorus melody and enough relationship drama to sustain any group chat for months. Klara Auerbach, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2026 With smooth steel guitar backing and visuals that place the artists in scenes ranging from wide-open prairies to the hustle and bustle of New York City, the song and video perfectly capture the spirit of a nation in a way that only Crowell can. Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 The acts he's recorded include an Amish man who played steel guitar with his son's band, a musician who drove for hours from Missouri and an Amish band from Ohio. CBS News, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for steel guitar

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of steel guitar was in 1910

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Steel guitar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steel%20guitar. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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