1

harp

noun \ ˈhärp \

|Updated on: 15 Jul 2018

Definition of harp

1 : a plucked stringed instrument consisting of a resonator, an arched or angled neck that may be supported by a post, and strings of graded length that are perpendicular to the soundboard

2 : something resembling a harp

3 : harmonica 2

—

harpist

play \ˈhär-pist\ noun

See harp defined for English-language learners

See harp defined for kids

Recent Examples of harp from the Web

Highlights this year will include tunes from a trio playing uilleann pipes, harp, and double bass, to the contemporary all-string Kirkos Ensemble, the modern jazz songs of Aoife Doyle Music, and R&B soul-pop quartet Super Silly.

— david jefferys, Condé Nast Traveler, "What to Do in Dublin in July 2018," 28 June 2018
Play every one of your emotions like a harp? Win hearts and make tears flow like wine?

— joshua rivera, GQ, "The Beautiful Boy Trailer Proves Timothée Chalamet's Reign Has Just Begun," 27 June 2018
Children can create their own cardboard harps and acoustic shakers.

— pam kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Huge harp highlights free music day in Carlsbad," 20 June 2018
Bedge also plays her harp at nursing homes and enjoys peer-tutoring.

— lizzy acker, OregonLive.com, "2018 Rose Festival Queen is Kiara Johnson of Parkrose High," 9 June 2018
Yet tests using a humidifier showed that there was no way for the harp to clog because droplets simply slid down the wires.

— angela chen, The Verge, "Scientists are harvesting water by building fog harps and zapping the air," 8 June 2018
These days, Mark Hummel has earned as much a reputation as a ringmaster of collaborative blues throwdowns as a harp howlin’ bluesman in his own right (both are well deserved).

— aaron davis, sacbee, "LA rocker Kaz Mirblouk heads up list of upcoming must-see shows," 8 June 2018
Or listening to Pavarotti forced not only to sing but to play the violins, harps and flutes, too.

— scott cacciola, New York Times, "LeBron James: The Strange Thrill of a One-Man Show," 6 June 2018
That’s why the promoters of autonomous technology harp on the facts that nearly 40,000 people die on US roads every year, and that human error causes more than 90 percent of crashes.

— alex davies, WIRED, "Waymo's Self-Driving Crash in Arizona Revives Tough Questions," 4 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'harp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of harp

Origin and Etymology of harp

Middle English, from Old English hearpe; akin to Old High German harpha harp

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

2

harp

verb

Definition of harp

harped; harping; harps

intransitive verb

1 : to play on a harp

2 : to dwell on or recur to a subject tiresomely or monotonously —usually used with on

See harp defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of harp from the Web

To harp on repeatedly about the worst aspect of a sport is rather ludicrous.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "Sorry soccer haters, but this World Cup is absolutely awesome," 25 June 2018
Letitia Berlin, recorder, douçaine; Frances Blaker, recorder, hammered dulcimer; Shira Kammen, vielle, harp, voice; Allison Zelles Lloyd, voice, harp with special guest Temmo Korisheli, voice.

— chronicle staff report, San Francisco Chronicle, "Classical music and dance listings," 31 May 2018
To embrace the positives instead of harping on the negatives.

— jeff seidel, Detroit Free Press, "NCAA tournament: The fight inside Michigan basketball's Zavier Simpson," 15 Mar. 2018
According to NFL Media, Pederson went off last week during a lackadaisical sequence during practice, harping on the need to emphasize details.

— jarrett bell, USA TODAY, "Doug Pederson's savvy helps Eagles soar amid challenges in Super Bowl season," 25 Jan. 2018
In his speeches, Donald Trump keeps harping on the dubious fact (i.e., lie) that violent gang members are storming the country’s gates and using the immigration system to do so, but the facts do not back up those claims.

— angela helm, The Root, "Jeff Sessions Makes Another Racist, Sexist Policy Change at Justice Department. Is Anyone Surprised?," 12 June 2018
This was used as the impetus by CNN to harp on her recent absence from the public eye following a mid-May kidney procedure.

— brian flood, Fox News, "Media covering first lady Melania Trump as 'missing in action' despite being seen last week," 4 June 2018
The Warriors harp on ball movement and unselfishness and unshakeable chemistry.

— jeremy woo, SI.com, "After Houston's Win, Here's Hoping for a Warriors-Rockets Playoff Series," 20 Jan. 2018
One thing Holtmann kept harping on was finishing at the rim.

— bill landis, cleveland.com, "Ohio State needs more bench scoring, Andrew Dakich might be the answer: Buckeyes basketball daily nuggets," 10 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'harp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of harp

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

HARP Defined for English Language Learners

harp

noun

Definition of harp for English Language Learners

: a musical instrument that has strings stretched across a large open frame and that is played with your fingers

HARP Defined for Kids

1

harp

noun \ ˈhärp \

Definition of harp for Students

: a musical instrument consisting of a triangular frame set with strings that are plucked by the fingers

2

harp

verb

Definition of harp for Students

harped; harping

: to call attention to something over and over again

The teacher harped on her mistake.

Learn More about harp

See words that rhyme with harp Spanish Central: Translation of harp Nglish: Translation of harp for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of harp for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about harp

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