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reed instrument

reed instrument

1 4.1
An instrument that makes sound when a reed vibrates, like a clarinet or saxophone
  • noun
  • /rid ˈɪnstrəmənt/
translation icon : instrumento de lengüeta
  • The clarinet is a popular reed instrument in both jazz and classical music.

Examples

  • The musician played a beautiful melody on his reed instrument during the concert.

  • Many children learn to play a reed instrument in their school band.

  • The oboe, another reed instrument, has a distinct and penetrating sound.

  • The reed instrument produces a rich sound.

  • Can you play a reed instrument?

  • She chose to learn the reed instrument because of its rich and vibrant sound.

  • Many students at the music school start with a popular reed instrument like the clarinet.

Synonyms

instrument
vsreed instrument
184 1.9

An object like a piano or violin that makes musical sounds

applies only to those using a vibrating mouthpiece part to create sound
musical instrument
vsreed instrument
21 2.3

A thing like a piano or guitar that you play to make music

refers specifically to instruments whose sound comes from a vibrating mouthpiece part
reed
vsreed instrument
5 5.9

A wind instrument that makes sound using a vibrating reed like an oboe

is the longer, fuller name for that same instrument type
woodwind
vsreed instrument
3 4.2

An instrument that makes sound when you blow into or across it, like a flute

focuses more narrowly on vibrating mouthpiece parts rather than material or general airflow
wind instrument
vsreed instrument
1 3.1

An instrument that makes sound when you blow air through it, like a flute or trumpet

is narrower, requiring vibrating mouthpiece parts rather than any air-driven sound
woodwind instrument
vsreed instrument
1 3.6

A musical instrument that makes sound when you blow air, often using a reed, like a clarinet or oboe

limits meaning to vibrating mouthpiece parts specifically, not all air instruments
beating-reed instrument
vsreed instrument
7.7

A musical instrument that makes sound when a thin piece of wood or cane vibrates as you blow

is the same concept expressed with a different name

Surface Forms

Morphology

reed + instrument

The meaning is directly compositional: a B1 learner who knows 'reed' (the vibrating strip used to make sound) and 'instrument' will infer this refers to an instrument that produces sound by a reed (e.g., clarinet, saxophone). This noun–noun construction is transparent and common across languages, so the overall meaning is immediately recoverable from the parts.

Etymology

The name reed instrument comes from the thin piece of wood called a reed that sits in the mouthpiece and 'shakes' to make sound. So a reed instrument is simply a musical instrument that uses a reed to make its sound, like the clarinet, saxophone, or oboe.