Bas*soon" (&?;), n. [F. basson, fr. basse bass; or perh. fr. bas son low sound. See Bass a part in music. ] (Mus.) A wind instrument of the double reed kind, furnished with holes, which are stopped by the fingers, and by keys, as in flutes. It forms the natural bass to the oboe, clarinet, etc.

&fist; Its compass comprehends three octaves. For convenience of carriage it is divided into two parts; whence it is also called a fagot.

• A musical instrument in the woodwind family, having a double reed and, playing in a tenor range.