bagpipe

noun

bag·​pipe ˈbag-ˌpīp 

: a wind instrument consisting of a reed melody pipe and from one to five drones with air supplied continuously either by a bag with valve-stopped mouth tube or by bellows

—often used in plural

bagpiper

ˈbag-ˌpī-pər 

noun

Illustration of bagpipe

Did you know?

This is a wind instrument that consists of two or more single- or double-reed pipes. The reeds are vibrated by wind caused by arm pressure on a skin or cloth bag. The pipes are held in wooden sockets tied into the bag, which is inflated either by the mouth or by bellows strapped to the body. Melodies are played on the finger holes of the melody pipe, or chanter, while the remaining pipes, or drones, sound single notes. Bagpipes existed by c. 100 ce. The early bag was an animal bladder or a nearly whole sheepskin or goatskin. Bagpipes have always been folk instruments. An important related instrument is the Irish union (or uilleann) pipes.

Examples of bagpipe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dressed in traditional Scottish kilts, the fans frequently herald their arrival with the sounds of bagpipes blaring through the streets. — Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 27 June 2026

The streets of Boston rarely ring out with the mingling sounds of Scottish bagpipes and plastic buckets. — Medara Udoekong, Christian Science Monitor, 26 June 2026

Two young Brazilian boys showed their fancy dance moves the sound of a bagpipe played by Scottish Tartan Army fan Mark Love, who was visiting from Edinburgh. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026

The bagpipes filled the air Friday as the band serenaded crowds at the World Cup Fan Fest at Bayfront Park in Miami. — Joan Murray, CBS News, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bagpipe

• blowpipe
• standpipe
• stovepipe
• subtype
• tailpipe
• unripe
• windpipe
• allotype
• antitype
• archetype
• biotype
• collotype

Kids Definition

bagpipe

noun

bag·​pipe ˈbag-ˌpīp 

: a musical instrument played especially in Scotland that consists of a bag for air, a mouth tube for blowing up the air bag, and pipes which give a sound when air passes through them

—often used in plural

bagpiper

-ˌpī-pər 

noun