banjo

noun

ban·​jo ˈban-(ˌ)jō How to pronounce banjo (audio)
plural banjos also banjoes
: a musical instrument with a drumlike body, a fretted neck, and usually four or five strings which may be plucked or strummed
banjoist
ˈban-ˌjō-ist How to pronounce banjo (audio)
noun

Illustration of banjo

Illustration of banjo

Examples of banjo 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.
But Maguire and Strayer are felt as loudly as Maines across the record, through their gorgeous harmonies, but also fiddle and banjo and, sometimes, sitar and accordion. — Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026 Audrey Hobert is standing on a chair, wearing Groucho glasses and an enormous trench coat and faux-strumming a banjo. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026 What happens when one of the biggest crossover hits of the 21st century gets handed to a couple of banjo virtuosos? — Spin Staff, SPIN, 8 Oct. 2026 Brown made history as the first woman musician to win an instrumentalist of the year honor from the IBMA when she was named banjo player of the year in 1991. — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for banjo

Word History

Etymology

probably of African origin; akin to Kimbundu mbanza, a similar instrument

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of banjo was in 1708

Phrases Containing banjo

Rhymes for banjo

See All Rhymes for banjo

Browse Nearby Words

banjax
banjo
banjo clock
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Cite this Entry

“Banjo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/banjo. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

banjo

noun
ban·​jo ˈban-jō How to pronounce banjo (audio)
plural banjos also banjoes
: a musical instrument with a round body like a drum, a long fretted neck, and four or five strings
banjoist
-ˌjō-ist How to pronounce banjo (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on banjo

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about banjo

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