woodwind
noun
wood·wind
ˈwu̇d-ˌwind 
1
: any of a group of wind instruments (such as a clarinet, flute, oboe, or saxophone) that are characterized by a cylindrical or conical tube of wood or metal usually ending in a slightly flared bell, that produce tones by the vibration of one or two reeds in the mouthpiece or by the passing of air over a mouth hole, and that usually have finger holes or keys by which the player may produce all the tones within an instrument's range
2
woodwinds plural
: the woodwind section of a band or orchestra
Examples of woodwind in a Sentence
He plays all the woodwind instruments very well.
Recent Examples on the Web
Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace swaps raucous raptures for meditation, leaving his saxophone at the door in favor of various woodwinds.
—
Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2024
While fans will have to wait to see if Quavo lays down some flute on his upcoming tracks, his purchase does come shortly after another rap star released a record of woodwind music.
—Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 14 Dec. 2023
Lovely work by the woodwinds was often trodden over by other sections.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024
And among these artifacts are seven, 12,000-year-old woodwind instruments, which produced a range of sounds similar to that of a bird of prey whenever they were played.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2023
This alternated with a jangly violin solo strummed like a balalaika by concertmaster Jeff Thayer, interjected with woodwind and trombone laughing music.
—Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Nov. 2023
Recorded at the Mondavi Center’s Jackson Hall, the four-concert series will feature conductor Stuart Chafetz and musicians from the string, woodwind, brass, and percussion sections of the SP&O.
—Sarah Murphy, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2024
Redmond is especially good at capturing the uncertain energy between strangers, a tension suspended in long lines of woodwind, blinks of piano, nervous pulses of percussion.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 21 Jan. 2024
The stores sold woodwind, brass, string and percussion instruments and accessories.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 5 Jan. 2024
Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2024
While fans will have to wait to see if Quavo lays down some flute on his upcoming tracks, his purchase does come shortly after another rap star released a record of woodwind music.
—Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 14 Dec. 2023
Lovely work by the woodwinds was often trodden over by other sections.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024
And among these artifacts are seven, 12,000-year-old woodwind instruments, which produced a range of sounds similar to that of a bird of prey whenever they were played.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2023
This alternated with a jangly violin solo strummed like a balalaika by concertmaster Jeff Thayer, interjected with woodwind and trombone laughing music.
—Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Nov. 2023
Recorded at the Mondavi Center’s Jackson Hall, the four-concert series will feature conductor Stuart Chafetz and musicians from the string, woodwind, brass, and percussion sections of the SP&O.
—Sarah Murphy, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2024
Redmond is especially good at capturing the uncertain energy between strangers, a tension suspended in long lines of woodwind, blinks of piano, nervous pulses of percussion.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 21 Jan. 2024
The stores sold woodwind, brass, string and percussion instruments and accessories.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 5 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'woodwind.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing woodwind
Dictionary Entries Near woodwind
Cite this Entry
“Woodwind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woodwind. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
woodwind
noun
wood·wind
ˈwu̇d-ˌwind
1
: one of a group of musical instruments including flutes, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, and sometimes saxophones compare brass instrument, percussion instrument, stringed instrument
2
plural
: the woodwind instruments of a band or orchestra
woodwind
adjective
More from Merriam-Webster on woodwind
Nglish: Translation of woodwind for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about woodwind
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