Illustration of bagpipe
: 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
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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
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Charlie Kirk's memorial service has begun to Amazing Grace being played on bagpipes.
—
Amanda Castro
mandy Taheri
peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
This was followed by a display from the bagpipe players of the Scots Guards.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
With vocals and synths inspired by Celtic traditions and bagpipes, Griffin uses a sword, the Scottish Claymore, as a personal logo symbolizing resilience and the warrior spirit.
—Nadja Sayej, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Arriving just before midday, the brothers celebrated by playing the bagpipes and waving Scottish, Australian and UK flags as they were greeted by friends and family including their mother Sheila.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2025
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Amanda Castro
mandy Taheri
peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
This was followed by a display from the bagpipe players of the Scots Guards.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
With vocals and synths inspired by Celtic traditions and bagpipes, Griffin uses a sword, the Scottish Claymore, as a personal logo symbolizing resilience and the warrior spirit.
—Nadja Sayej, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Arriving just before midday, the brothers celebrated by playing the bagpipes and waving Scottish, Australian and UK flags as they were greeted by friends and family including their mother Sheila.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bagpipe
Cite this Entry
“Bagpipe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bagpipe. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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