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
In the clip, Sunday Rose mimed playing the flute as the sounds of woodwinds accompanied the video.
—
Kayla Grant, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
John Bruce Yeh, sitting principal clarinet for this program, brought a folky charm to the opening woodwind layers, and strings readily shapeshifted to meet Rouvali’s demands, from the wolfy, growling, low-register lines in the first movement to an ultra-legato melody opening the second.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
These dueling sensations are emphasized by Aleksander Makowski’s score, which veers between waltzing whimsy and haunting woodwinds, a keen cross-cultural blend.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 24 Feb. 2025
André 3000 announced his debut solo album, New Blue Sun — a body of work entirely made up of instrumental woodwind music — in November 2023.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for woodwind
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.
Kayla Grant, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
John Bruce Yeh, sitting principal clarinet for this program, brought a folky charm to the opening woodwind layers, and strings readily shapeshifted to meet Rouvali’s demands, from the wolfy, growling, low-register lines in the first movement to an ultra-legato melody opening the second.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
These dueling sensations are emphasized by Aleksander Makowski’s score, which veers between waltzing whimsy and haunting woodwinds, a keen cross-cultural blend.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 24 Feb. 2025
André 3000 announced his debut solo album, New Blue Sun — a body of work entirely made up of instrumental woodwind music — in November 2023.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for woodwind
Cite this Entry
“Woodwind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woodwind. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share