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Lyra

noun

Ly·​ra ˈlī-rə How to pronounce Lyra (audio)
: a northern constellation representing the lyre of Orpheus or Mercury and containing Vega

Word History

Etymology

Latin (genitive Lyrae), literally, lyre

First Known Use

1551, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Lyra was in 1551

Rhymes for Lyra

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Browse Nearby Words

Lyopomata
Lyra
lyrachord
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Cite this Entry

“Lyra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lyra. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.

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Medical Definition

lyra

noun
ly·​ra ˈlī-rə How to pronounce lyra (audio)
: hippocampal commissure

More from Merriam-Webster on Lyra

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Lyra

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