bagpipe

noun

bag·​pipe ˈbag-ˌpīp 

: 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

bagpiper

ˈbag-ˌpī-pər 

noun

Illustration of bagpipe

Did you know?

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

Recent Examples on the Web

This year's event features a variety of music and entertainment from The Elders, a six-piece American Celtic folk-rock group; The Mile Highlanders Pipe Band featuring bagpipes and other instruments; the Reed School of Irish Dance; and the All-Star Irish Session Players. —Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2025

There will be bagpipe and drum band competitions as well as Celtic Traditional and Celtic Rock bands. —Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

New entertainment options and familiar favorites From bagpipe and drum teams to Scottish and Irish dancers and other live performers, families and kids of all ages are sure to enjoy this year’s lineup. —Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

March 1 41st annual SE FL Scottish Festival & Highland Games, bagpipe bands, Scottish folk and rock music, heavy athletics, Scottish dancing, children’s games, living history, Scottish food, drink and merchandise. —Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bagpipe

• blowpipe
• standpipe
• stovepipe
• subtype
• tailpipe
• unripe
• windpipe
• allotype
• antitype
• archetype
• biotype
• collotype

Kids Definition

bagpipe

noun

bag·​pipe ˈbag-ˌpīp 

: a musical instrument played especially in Scotland that consists of a bag for air, a mouth tube for blowing up the air bag, and pipes which give a sound when air passes through them

—often used in plural

bagpiper

-ˌpī-pər 

noun