brass family

1 3.9

A group of instruments like trumpet or trombone that make sound when the player's lips buzz on a mouthpiece

noun
/bræs ˈfæmɪli/

Specialized

: familia de metales de viento

The band showcased the talents of the brass family with a lively performance featuring trumpets and trombones.

Examples

Here comes the brass family.

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
THE BRASS FAMILY.

Wee Sing in the Marvelous Musical Mansion (1992)
During the concert, the rich sounds of the brass family filled the auditorium, captivating the audience.
In a typical marching band, the brass family plays a central role, contributing powerful melodies and harmonies.

Synonyms

brass

vsbrass family

21 2.7

Musical instruments like trumpets and trombones, or the players who play them

refers only to the instruments themselves not to their players

How Bright

brass band

4 2.7

brass family

Specialized

1 3.9

woodwind family

1 3.7

string

62 3.3

Surface Forms

brass family singular

brass families plural

Morphology

brass + family

The phrase is compositionally built from 'brass' (the group of instruments) and 'family' (a grouping), so the meaning 'a group of brass instruments' is directly derivable from the parts. This is a common, cross-linguistic nominal compounding pattern (instrument type + family) and should be immediately clear to a B1 learner who knows both words.

Etymology

Brass family comes from grouping musical instruments that are made of the metal brass. These instruments make sound when a player buzzes their lips on a mouthpiece, so the name links the metal brass and the idea of a 'family' or 'group' of similar instruments.