clarinet

noun

clar·​i·​net ˌkler-ə-ˈnet How to pronounce clarinet (audio)
ˌkla-rə-;
ˈkler-ə-nət, 
ˈkla-rə-
: a single-reed woodwind instrument having a cylindrical tube with a moderately flared bell and a usual range from D below middle C upward for 3½ octaves
clarinetist noun
or clarinettist
ˌkler-ə-ˈne-tist How to pronounce clarinet (audio)
ˌkla-rə-

Illustration of clarinet

Illustration of clarinet

Examples of clarinet 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.
In 2016, John Heliwell, who plays saxophone and clarinet for Supertramp, agreed to play on a TPT song. — Liza Lentini, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026 At the event, before Rothenberg triumphantly clarinet-riffed with recordings of sperm whales and humpbacks, Joe Valle, of Nonhuman Teachers, interviewed Nollman, with career-retrospective audiovisual enhancement. — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Alex recorded an equally gorgeous original score that combines nature sounds, acoustic guitar, strings, and even what sounds like clarinet. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 29 Aug. 2026 But the tracks are enriched with synthesizers, violin, flute, trumpet and clarinet — all five members are multi-instrumentalists. — Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clarinet

Word History

Etymology

French clarinette, probably ultimately from Medieval Latin clarion-, clario

First Known Use

1733, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clarinet was in 1733

Rhymes for clarinet

See All Rhymes for clarinet

Browse Nearby Words

clarina
clarinet
clarinetist
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

clarinet

noun
clar·​i·​net ˌklar-ə-ˈnet How to pronounce clarinet (audio)
ˈklar-ə-nət
: a woodwind musical instrument in the shape of a cylindrical tube having a single-reed mouthpiece
clarinetist noun
or clarinettist
ˌklar-ə-ˈnet-əst How to pronounce clarinet (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on clarinet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clarinet

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