A bowed string instrument of the violin family, pitched lower than the viola but higher than the double bass. Unlike the violin and viola, however, the larger cello (or violoncello) is held between the knees and supported by a metal endpin that extends from its bottom to the floor.

It consists of four strings (pitched five notes apart) suspended over a long fingerboard and large resonating body of wood. The strings are sounded by drawing a bow of horsehair across them.

The cello first appeared after 1500 in Italy along with the violin and viola. First used as a bass accompaniment, it became a solo instrument because of its expressive tone.