oboe

noun \ˈō-(ˌ)bō\

: a musical instrument that is shaped like a tube and that is played by blowing into a small, thin piece at the top of the tube

Full Definition of OBOE

: a double-reed woodwind instrument having a conical tube, a brilliant penetrating tone, and a usual range from B flat below middle C upward for over 2¹⁄₂ octaves

— obo·ist \ˈō-(ˌ)bō-ist\ noun

See oboe defined for English-language learners

See oboe defined for kids

Illustration of OBOE

Origin of OBOE

Italian, from French hautbois — more at hautbois

First Known Use: 1794

Rhymes with OBOE

hobo

OBOE Defined for Kids

oboe

noun \ˈō-bō\

Definition of OBOE for Kids

: a woodwind instrument with two reeds that is pitched higher than the bassoon and has a distinctive bright sound

Word History of OBOE

The oboe, the English horn, and the bassoon belong to the same group of woodwind instruments. Of the three the oboe has the highest pitch. The English word oboe comes from the Italian name of the instrument, oboe, which in turn comes from the oboe's French name, hautbois. The word hautbois is a compound made up of haut, “high, loud,” and bois, “wood.”