banjo

noun

ban·​jo ˈban-(ˌ)jō How to pronounce banjo (audio)
plural banjos also banjoes
: a musical instrument with a drumlike body, a fretted neck, and usually four or five strings which may be plucked or strummed
banjoist noun

Illustration of banjo

Illustration of banjo

Examples of banjo 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.
Learning tenor guitar — a four-stringed instrument initially made for banjo players — unlocked a unique sound and sensibility in her songwriting. Lindsay Zoladz, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025 After Ellie played it through, the studio group – including Cook on bass, Powell on banjo, Ellie and Mike Harris on guitar, and Eric Slick on drums – instinctively chased down the arrangement without any real planning. Tom Roland, Billboard, 9 Jan. 2025 The concert, the second saluting the album this year, featured Pogues members Spider Stacy on tin whistle, Jem Finer on banjo, and James Fearnley on accordion. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 18 Dec. 2024 Musically talented, as well as being a singer-songwriter, Acacia plays the guitar, piano, banjo and ukulele. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for banjo 

Word History

Etymology

probably of African origin; akin to Kimbundu mbanza, a similar instrument

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of banjo was in 1708

Dictionary Entries Near banjo

Cite this Entry

“Banjo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/banjo. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

banjo

noun
ban·​jo ˈban-jō How to pronounce banjo (audio)
plural banjos also banjoes
: a musical instrument with a round body like a drum, a long fretted neck, and four or five strings
banjoist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on banjo

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