bagpipe

noun

bag·​pipe ˈbag-ˌpīp How to pronounce bagpipe (audio)
: 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 noun

Illustration of bagpipe

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 Brennan walked down the aisle to Irish bagpipes, and the whole crew enjoyed a performance by a Middle Eastern quartet during the cocktail hour. Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024 The September sunshine beat down on a group playing bagpipes outside St. Christina Catholic Church, following a service where prayers were offered for the fallen former officer, who everyone called Jim. Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2024 Many of the town's 1,500 residents are farmers, artisans and businesspeople working in trades forgotten by time – shoe cobbling, metal fabricating, fire truck restoration and bagpipe making, to name a few. Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2024 The procession was followed by the San Jose Police Emerald Society Band, accompanying the procession with bagpipes and drums, and Pham’s family and loved ones, many wearing white flowers pinned to their clothes. Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bagpipe 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bagpipe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bagpipe was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near bagpipe

Cite this Entry

“Bagpipe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bagpipe. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

bagpipe

noun
bag·​pipe ˈbag-ˌpīp How to pronounce bagpipe (audio)
: 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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on bagpipe

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