xylophonePronunciation: /ˈzʌɪləfəʊn/Translate xylophone | into Spanish Definition of xylophone noun a musical instrument played by striking a row of wooden bars of graduated length with one or more small wooden or plastic beaters. Derivatives xylophonicPronunciation: /-ˈfɒnɪk/ adjective xylophonistPronunciation: /zʌɪˈlɒfənɪst/ noun Origin: mid 19th century: from xylo- 'of wood' + -phoneSpelling helpThe beginning of xylophone is spelled xylo-.xylophone in other Oxford dictionaries Definition of xylophone in the US English dictionary