What does trombone mean?
A trombone is a large brass instrument recognizable by its long body and movable slide. The player blows into a mouthpiece and changes the length of the tube to select notes, producing a broad range of tones and the sweeping glissandos for which the instrument is famous. Trombones are used in orchestras, brass bands, jazz ensembles, dance bands, and popular music, and they may perform either melodic lines or powerful ensemble parts. The instrument has a substantial, resonant sound and is often associated with bold brass fanfares, jazz solos, and commanding orchestral climaxes. Its unusual mechanism also makes it visually distinctive: unlike a valve trumpet, it can move between pitches continuously through its slide. The word is normally used as a noun, while the verb trombone is an informal way of saying that someone plays the instrument.
A large brass instrument with a long cylindrical body, a mouthpiece, and a sliding tube used to vary pitch.
"The trombone was the deepest voice in the brass section."
To play a trombone.
"She trombones in a local jazz ensemble."
Informal; more usual phrasing is 'play the trombone' or 'play trombone'.
The standard plural is trombones.
"The orchestra has four trombones in its brass section."
The trombone's slide can make its glissandos look like the instrument is stretching itself across the stage.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does trombone come from?
The word trombone entered English through French trombone, which developed from Italian trombone. Italian trombone ultimately comes from tromba, meaning trumpet, and that word is related to the Germanic root behind English trump and trumpet. The instrument name reflects the characteristic sliding mechanism, while the older form sacbut preserves an earlier European name for a related slide trumpet.
How trombone is actually used
As a verb, trombone is informal and is less common than the noun form; musicians usually say that someone plays trombone rather than trombones. The historical spelling 'sacbut' is now chiefly used in discussions of early brass instruments.
Easily confused with trombone
A trombone uses a slide to change pitch, whereas a trumpet generally uses valves.