Illustration of bagpipe
: a wind instrument consisting of a reed melody pipe and from one to five drones with air supplied continuously either by a bag with valve-stopped mouth tube or by bellows
—often used in plural
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This is a wind instrument that consists of two or more single- or double-reed pipes. The reeds are vibrated by wind caused by arm pressure on a skin or cloth bag. The pipes are held in wooden sockets tied into the bag, which is inflated either by the mouth or by bellows strapped to the body. Melodies are played on the finger holes of the melody pipe, or chanter, while the remaining pipes, or drones, sound single notes. Bagpipes existed by c. 100 ce. The early bag was an animal bladder or a nearly whole sheepskin or goatskin. Bagpipes have always been folk instruments. An important related instrument is the Irish union (or uilleann) pipes.
Examples of bagpipe in a Sentence
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They are based on the legend that some of the shepherds who visited baby Jesus felt compelled to play their bagpipes.
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Chad De Guzman, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
As Irish patriotism in the U.S. grew, annual parades of bagpipes, drums and dancing became the norm.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025
The half-mile parade, in its 70th year, kicked off around 12:15 p.m. to the sounds of bagpipes and drums played by members of the Chicago Police Department.
—Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
She’s got green spirit Amid the bagpipes and the Irish dancing, Fischer was crowned at the Minnesota Music Cafe on Tuesday.
—Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2025
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Chad De Guzman, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
As Irish patriotism in the U.S. grew, annual parades of bagpipes, drums and dancing became the norm.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025
The half-mile parade, in its 70th year, kicked off around 12:15 p.m. to the sounds of bagpipes and drums played by members of the Chicago Police Department.
—Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
She’s got green spirit Amid the bagpipes and the Irish dancing, Fischer was crowned at the Minnesota Music Cafe on Tuesday.
—Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bagpipe
Cite this Entry
“Bagpipe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bagpipe. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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