oboe1

[oh-boh] /ˈoʊ boʊ/
noun
1.
a woodwind instrument having a slender conical, tubular body and a double-reed mouthpiece.
2.
(in an organ) a reed stop with a sound like that of an oboe.
3.
(a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter O.)
Origin
1690-1700; < Italian < French hautbois, equivalent to haut high + bois wood; see hautboy

oboe2

[oh-boh] /ˈoʊ boʊ/
noun, (sometimes initial capital letter)
1.
a navigation system utilizing two radar ground stations that measure the distance to an aircraft and then radio the information to the aircraft.
Origin
1940-45; special use of oboe1
British Dictionary definitions for oboes

oboe

/ˈəʊbəʊ/
noun
1.
a woodwind instrument of the family that includes the bassoon and cor anglais, consisting of a conical tube fitted with a mouthpiece having a double reed. It has a penetrating nasal tone. Range: about two octaves plus a sixth upwards from B flat below middle C
2.
a person who plays this instrument in an orchestra: second oboe
Archaic form hautboy
Derived Forms
oboist, noun
Word Origin
C18: via Italian oboe, phonetic approximation to French haut bois, literally: high wood (referring to its pitch)
Word Origin and History for oboes

oboe

n.

1724, from Italian oboe, from phonetic spelling of Middle French hautbois (itself borrowed in English 16c. as hautboy), from haut "high, loud, high-pitched" (see haught) + bois "wood" (see bush (n.)). So called because it had the highest register among woodwind instruments. Related: Oboist.

oboes in Culture

oboe definition


A woodwind instrument played with a double reed; similar to a bassoon, but pitched higher. Some describe its tone as nasal.

Note: The oboe appears frequently as a solo instrument in symphonies and other kinds of classical music.