guitar

noun

gui·​tar gə-ˈtär How to pronounce guitar (audio)
gi-,
 especially Southern and Midland US also  ˈgi-ˌtär
: a flat-bodied stringed instrument with a long fretted neck and usually six strings played with a pick or with the fingers
guitarist noun

Illustration of guitar

Illustration of guitar
  • 1 electric
  • 2 acoustic

Examples of 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.
The soundtrack — out the following day, April 18, and available to preorder now — serves as a companion album to that film, featuring 11 songs from Young’s songbook stripped down to vocals, piano, and guitar. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2025 To be able to act, sing, and play the guitar, that was a trifecta. Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2025 In May, a 12-string guitar that Lennon played during the recording of Help! Rachel Desantis, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025 Young will be backed by Spooner Oldham (Farfisa organ), Micah Nelson (guitar and vocal), Corey McCormick (bass and vocal) and Anthony LoGerfo (drums). Spin Staff, SPIN, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for guitar

Word History

Etymology

French guitare, from Spanish guitarra, from Arabic qītār, from Greek kithara cithara

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guitar was in 1668

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Guitar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guitar. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

guitar

noun
gui·​tar gə-ˈtär How to pronounce guitar (audio)
: a stringed instrument with a flat body, a long neck with frets, and usually six strings that are played with the fingers or with a pick
guitarist noun
Etymology

from French guitare "guitar," derived from Arabic qītār (same meaning)

More from Merriam-Webster on guitar

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