: a large circular tuba similar to a sousaphone but lacking an adjustable bell
Illustration of helicon
Examples of helicon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebAllan Jaffe, who played the helicon, a brass instrument, was the link to the musicians and sent them out on the road as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.—New York Times, 31 Dec. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'helicon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
probably from Greek helik-, helix + English -on (as in bombardon); from its tube's forming a spiral encircling the player's body
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