violin

noun

vi·​o·​lin ˌvī-ə-ˈlin How to pronounce violin (audio)
: a bowed stringed instrument having four strings tuned at intervals of a fifth and a usual range from G below middle C upward for more than 4¹/₂ octaves and having a shallow body, shoulders at right angles to the neck, a fingerboard without frets, and a curved bridge
violinist noun
violinistic adjective

Illustration of violin

Illustration of violin
  • 1 bridge
  • 2 sound hole
  • 3 soundboard
  • 4 fingerboard
  • 5 pegs
  • 6 scroll
  • 7 tailpiece
  • g G-string
  • d D-string
  • a A-string
  • e E-string

Examples of violin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Brinker, of Palms Middle School, started playing the violin in fourth grade. Ashley Ahn, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Paramedics convicted in Elijah McClain’s death McClain — a massage therapist who played violin at a local shelter to soothe the animals — was walking home in August 2019. María Paúl, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024 Of the more fortunate girls, the queen bee is Lucia (Carlotta Gamba), the Institute’s first violin, who is skilled if not especially inspired in her playing, and has an eye on escape via her courtship with wealthy dreamboat Cristiano (Vincenzo Crea). Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2024 Mitchell and Carlile were joined by a talented ensemble of musicians, including those on the keys, violin, and backup vocals, creating a captivating moment of musical greatness. Holly Alvarado, Orange County Register, 4 Feb. 2024 As an award-winning violin player who has performed at Carnegie Hall and a member of the Science Bowl and USA Biology Olympiad at North Hunterdon High School, Zhang has no shortage of talent and ideas. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 Salonen will conduct a new violin concerto from Bryce Dessner with violinist Pekka Kuusisto, and appear in another program with pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard to pay tribute to French composer Pierre Boulez. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 The explosive screech of violin strings is, however, underscored by one unexpected trill: a notification popping up on my phone. Hasina Jeelani, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2024 The ads open with a stirring violin track, the subject striding confidently past the Broadway facade of the L.A. County Hall of Justice, or the Temple Street face of the United States Courthouse, or the Art Deco tower of City Hall. Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'violin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian violino, from viola "viola, viol" + -ino, diminutive suffix, going back to Latin -īnus -ine entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of violin was circa 1576

Dictionary Entries Near violin

Cite this Entry

“Violin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violin. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

violin

noun
vi·​o·​lin ˌvī-ə-ˈlin How to pronounce violin (audio)
1
: a stringed musical instrument with four strings that is usually held against the shoulder under the chin and played with a bow
2

More from Merriam-Webster on violin

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