double bass

noun

: the largest and lowest-pitched of the stringed instruments that is tuned in fourths
double bassist noun

Illustration of double bass

Illustration of double bass

Examples of double bass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Sparks was also influential in helping boost the careers of Steve Martin, John Denver and Kenny Rogers, with Rogers playing double bass for the group in 1966. Diego Ramos Bechara, Variety, 17 Feb. 2024 The flickering strum of a wheeled double bass set the tone inside the Metro car. Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023 During a 2008 interview with The Times at his home, Mr. Lee played piano and double bass. Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 24 May 2023 Shadows is comfortable as the ringleader, working the crowd while focusing on his deep bellow, Wackerman spent an outrageous amount of time playing his double bass drum to preserve the metal feel, and Gates did his rock-star posing on lead, while Christ and Vengeance held the fort down. William Earl, Variety, 24 June 2023 The same rule applies to musical instruments: A large double bass can produce lower notes than a small violin does, for example. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Oct. 2023 It’s scored for a chamber ensemble of violin and double bass, clarinet and bassoon, cornet and trombone and percussion. Dallas News, 21 Feb. 2023 According to her personal website, Jaouad attended the pre-college program for the double bass at The Juilliard School. Taiwo Balogun, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2023 At Darmstadt, the musicians in this chamber ensemble — including singers, woodwinds, brasses, an accordion and two double basses — prerecorded a take on No. 443 the day before the concert. Seth Colter Walls, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'double bass.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of double bass was in 1728

Dictionary Entries Near double bass

Cite this Entry

“Double bass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double%20bass. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

double bass

noun
: the largest instrument of the violin family

More from Merriam-Webster on double bass

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