Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

quena

noun
que·​na
variants: or less commonly cuena \ ˈkānə \
plural -s

Definition of quena 

: a primitive vertical reed flute of the South American Indians

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for quena

American Spanish quena, from Quechua kkhína

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about quena

Statistics for quena

Look-up Popularity

More from Merriam-Webster on quena

Spanish Central: Translation of quena

Comments on quena

What made you want to look up quena? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

memento

something that serves to warn or remind

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Autumn Words of the Day 2018

  • a-top-down-image-of-road-through-an-autumn-forest
  • Which is a synonym of fugacious?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games