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.
Getting inside his unique personal museum to see his massive collection of rare cars, guitars and movie paraphernalia, is invitation only and the Detroit Free Press toured the Heritage Center in 2023. Jamie L. Lareau, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025 The music video, directed by John Vowles, captures Ty Dy’s energy in a performance that showcases his bold, on-stage persona—complete with his signature look of winged pants, long blonde hair, his shining guitar, and the dynamic rockstar presence that is quickly becoming his trademark. Spin Contributor, SPIN, 4 Feb. 2025 The instrumentation stayed true to the alt-rock sound, with distorted guitars and driving drums keeping up the pace. Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 4 Feb. 2025 Cue the Nerf Herder guitar riff: A Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot is in the offing. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 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

Dictionary Entries Near guitar

Cite this Entry

“Guitar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guitar. Accessed 11 Feb. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!