lyre

noun

ˈlī(-ə)r 

1

: a stringed instrument of the harp class having an approximately U-shaped frame and used by the ancient Greeks especially to accompany song and recitation (see recitation sense 2)

2

: a small clip typically resembling a lyre that is use for holding sheet music and attaches to a musical instrument (such as a trombone)

3

capitalized : lyra

Illustration of lyre

• lyre 1

Examples of lyre in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When fanned out during courtship displays, the tail feathers form a shape reminiscent of a classical lyre, the musical instrument from which the bird gets its name. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025

Then, using his talents playing the lyre and singing psalms, David grew to be a supportive comfort to the possibly mad King Saul (Ali Suliman) as well as begin a romance with Saul’s daughter, Michal (Indy Lewis). —Jim Halterman, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025

And the gods are depicted holding lyres and kitharas, and those two instruments were the precedent for guitars. —Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

But Iskander stepped it up, purchasing a 10-string lyre on Amazon during auditions and teaching himself to play the ancient instrument while learning the Shema prayer of faith in Hebrew from YouTube. —Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lire, from Anglo-French, from Latin lyra, from Greek

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lyre

• bell lyre

Rhymes for lyre

• dire
• ire
• mire
• quire
• spire
• squire
• admire
• afire
• aspire
• backfire
• esquire
• expire

Kids Definition

lyre

noun

ˈlī(ə)r 

: a small harp held in the hands for playing