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banjo

Syllabification: (ban·jo)
Pronunciation: /ˈbanjō/

Translate banjo | into German | into Italian
Definition of banjo

noun (plural banjos or banjoes)

  • a stringed musical instrument with a long neck and a round open-backed body consisting of parchment stretched over a metal hoop like a tambourine, played by plucking or with a plectrum. It is used especially in American folk music.
  • an object resembling a banjo in shape: [as modifier]:a banjo clock

Derivatives

banjoist

Pronunciation: /-ist/

noun

Origin:

mid 18th century: originally a black American alteration of earlier bandore; probably based on Greek pandoura 'three-stringed lute'. Compare with bandora

The plural of banjo can be spelled either banjos or banjoes.

banjo in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of banjo in the British & World English dictionary