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 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

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

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near hornpipe

Cite this Entry

“Hornpipe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hornpipe. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

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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