calliope

noun

cal·​li·​ope kə-ˈlī-ə-(ˌ)pē 

in sense 2 also

ˈka-lē-ˌōp 

1

capitalized : the Greek Muse of heroic poetry

2

: a keyboard musical instrument resembling an organ and consisting of a series of whistles sounded by steam or compressed air

Did you know?

With a name literally meaning "beautiful-voiced" (from kallos, meaning "beauty," and ops, meaning "voice"), Calliope was the most prominent of the Muses—the nine sister goddesses who in Greek mythology presided over poetry, song, and the arts and sciences. She is represented in art as holding an epic poem in one hand and a trumpet in the other. The musical instrument invented and patented in the 1850s, played by forcing steam or compressed air through a series of whistles, was named after the goddess. Because its sound could be heard for miles around, the calliope was effective in luring patrons to river showboats, circuses, and carnivals, which is why the instrument continues its association with such attractions today.

Examples of calliope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Calliope Hummingbird – One of the smallest hummingbirds in the U.S. the calliope has magenta smears on its throat with pale green on the sides. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Apr. 2024

Or maybe stroll along the bustling Public Landing, listening to the cadence of the dockworkers and the calliope whistles of the steamboats. —Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2024

Other species that are less common but have been seen in the state are calliope, Allen’s and Anna’s hummingbirds. —Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 10 Apr. 2023

Especially when even the highlights could be accompanied by a calliope. —Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 1 Oct. 2020

The scene was straight out of Ringling Bros., the sound track a calliope. —Dallas News, 18 Jan. 2022

The distinctive, merry sounds of a steam calliope float through the streets of downtown Baraboo, Wisconsin. —Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2022

But the fair website said drive-thru exhibits included old fire trucks, livestock and a calliope. —From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2020

The haunting calliope music by jazz pianist Jason Moran is based on African American protest and celebration songs. —Doug MacCash, NOLA.com, 23 Feb. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek Kalliopē

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

calliope

noun

cal·​li·​ope kə-ˈlī-ə-(ˌ)pē 

also

ˈkal-ē-ˌōp 

: a keyboard musical instrument consisting of a set of whistles sounded usually by steam

Etymology

named for Calliope, one of the nine goddesses in Greek mythology who had control over music and poetry