hornpipe

noun

horn·​pipe ˈhȯrn-ˌpīp How to pronounce hornpipe (audio)
1
: a single-reed wind instrument consisting of a wooden or bone pipe with finger holes, a bell, and mouthpiece usually of horn
2
: a lively folk dance of the British Isles originally accompanied by hornpipe playing

Examples of hornpipe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In Irish dance circles, Howard was most known for his figure dances, group pieces weaving 12-16 dancers through geometric jigsaw puzzles set to music of your choice, typically a reel, jig or hornpipe. Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025 Folk musicians including fiddle, guitar, penny whistle, flute, and concertina players are welcome to participate as well as those who just want to listen to jigs, reels, hornpipes, polkas and waltzes. Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 May 2025 In Hell’s Kitchen on Manhattan’s West Side, kids are indeed learning to play the bagpipes—wheezing their way through traditional marches, jigs and hornpipes. Anne Kadet, WSJ, 23 Oct. 2018 The audience may hear jigs, waltzes, mazurkas, reels, hornpipes and more. Courant Community, 29 May 2018 The trumpets and horns, facing off on opposite sides of the ensemble, created an energetic, pealing, antiphonal effect in the final hornpipe. Elaine Schmidt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hornpipe was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Hornpipe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hornpipe. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

hornpipe

noun
horn·​pipe ˈhȯ(ə)rn-ˌpīp How to pronounce hornpipe (audio)
1
: a wind instrument made up of a wooden or bone pipe and a bell usually of horn
2
: a lively folk dance originally accompanied by hornpipe playing

More from Merriam-Webster on hornpipe

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