mandolin

noun

man·​do·​lin ˌman-də-ˈlin How to pronounce mandolin (audio)
ˈman-də-lən
variants or less commonly mandoline
ˌman-də-ˈlēn How to pronounce mandolin (audio)
ˈman-də-lən
1
: a musical instrument of the lute family that has a usually pear-shaped body and fretted neck and four to six pairs of strings
2
usually mandoline [French, from Italian mandolino mandolin] : a kitchen utensil with a blade for slicing and shredding
mandolinist noun

Illustration of mandolin

Illustration of mandolin
  • mandolin 1

Examples of mandolin 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.
Stipe now enunciated his lyrics, which shaded into social commentary, while the arrangements drew from a palette that included string sections, mandolins and an increasing reliance on Mills’ textured keyboard parts. Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 Not to get too in the weeds, but the violin is tuned like a mandolin, a viola’s tuned like a manola, and the cello is tuned like a mandecello. Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2024 Violins, mandolins and guitars pepper the album’s various backdrops, as Gavin sings directly to the human condition of looking to change. Stephen Daw, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2024 Normally, Darren Nicholson would have a mandolin in his hands. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mandolin 

Word History

Etymology

Italian mandolino, diminutive of mandola

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mandolin was in 1707

Dictionary Entries Near mandolin

Cite this Entry

“Mandolin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mandolin. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

mandolin

noun
man·​do·​lin ˌman-də-ˈlin How to pronounce mandolin (audio)
ˈman-dᵊl-ən
variants also mandoline
ˌman-də-ˈlēn How to pronounce mandolin (audio)
ˈman-dᵊl-ən
: a stringed instrument with a pear-shaped body and four to six pairs of strings played by plucking

More from Merriam-Webster on mandolin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!