Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

hautboy

Noun

/ˈhōbɔɪ/

Definition

A hautboy is a wooden wind instrument with a double reed, closely related to the oboe. It was used particularly in the Renaissance and Baroque music periods.

Examples

The composer included a lovely hautboy melody in the orchestral arrangement.
During the concert, the hautboy soloist captivated the audience with her breathtaking performance.
Historians have discovered that many royal courts employed hautboy players at their festivities.

Meaning

The term hautboy originally referred to a high-pitched woodwind instrument. Over time, it has evolved to denote an early version of the oboe, known for its distinctive timbre and expressive qualities.