free reed

noun

: a reed in a musical instrument (such as a harmonica) that vibrates in an air opening just large enough to allow the reed to move freely compare beating reed

Examples of free reed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The instrument contains a free reed, a strip of flexible metal that flaps up and down when a player blows through the sheng’s holes, thus creating musical tones. Steve Knopper, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2021 The Chinese invented a free reed instrument, called the Sheng, several thousand years ago, but the model that arrived in America originated in Europe. Joan Hunt, courant.com, 21 Nov. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'free reed.' 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

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of free reed was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near free reed

Cite this Entry

“Free reed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20reed. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.

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