bassoon

noun

1. a large woodwind instrument of low range, with a doubled tube and a curved metal crook to which a double reed is attached.

noun

1. a woodwind instrument, the tenor of the oboe family. Range: about three and a half octaves upwards from the B flat below the bass staff
2. an orchestral musician who plays the bassoon

n.

1727, from French basson (17c.), from Italian bassone, augmentative of basso (see bass (adj.)). Cf. balloon (n.); also see -oon.

The second largest and second lowest pitched of the woodwinds. (The less common contrabassoon is larger and has a lower pitch.) It is played with a double reed.