clarinet

/ˌˈklɛrəˌˈnɛt/

/klærɪˈnɛt/

Other forms: clarinets

A clarinet is a woodwind instrument. A clarinet has a simple, straight tube with intricate keys, a single-reed mouthpiece, and a flared, bell-shaped end.

When you play the clarinet, you blow through the mouthpiece and make notes with your fingers on the keys. Clarinets are distinctive because they are straight, with a black body and silver keys, and have a large pitch range. The word clarinet comes from the French clarinette, the diminutive form of clarine. "little bell," which comes from clair, "bright or clear."

Definitions of clarinet

1. noun

   a single-reed instrument with a straight tube
   types:

   bass clarinet

   a large clarinet whose range is an octave below the B-flat clarinet

   basset horn

   a tenor clarinet; pitched in the key of F below the B-flat clarinet

   B-flat clarinet, licorice stick

   the ordinary clarinet with a middle range

   type of:

   single-reed instrument, single-reed woodwind

   a beating-reed instrument with a single reed (as a clarinet or saxophone)