banjo

ban-jo · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A stringed musical instrument with a round body, a long neck, and typically four or five strings, played by plucking.

  2. 2.

    [Australian slang]A shovel.

Forms

plural: banjos

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    dueling banjos — A famous musical piece featuring two banjos in competition.
  • •
    five-string banjo — The most common type of banjo, used in American folk and bluegrass music.

Related words

See also: bluegrass, guitar, mandolin, ukulele

Etymology

Probably from a Bantu language, such as Kimbundu mbanza (a stringed instrument), brought to America by enslaved Africans.