guiro

[ gweer-oh; Spanish gee-raw ]

noun

, plural gui·ro.

1. a South American musical instrument consisting of a hollow gourd with serrated surface that is scraped with a stick.

Word History and Origins

Origin of guiro¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; from Latin American Spanish güiro, literally, “gourd,” probably from Taíno

Example Sentences

From the guitarron and the requinto to the guiro and the tololoche, these are some of the instruments responsible for música Mexicana’s distinct qualities.

From Los Angeles Times

From the guitarron and the requinto to the guiro and the tololoche, these are some of the instruments responsible for música Mexicana’s distinct qualities.

From Los Angeles Times

As its hissing güiro, whistling gaitas and lively horns flow through Los Angeles, Noche de Cumbia aims to celebrate its roots, embrace its variations and encourage a night full of dancing.

From Los Angeles Times

Central to many types of Latin music, the guiro is the heartbeat of cumbia.

From Los Angeles Times

Alan Vega, a producer-songwriter who has worked with singers Estevie and Sofia Reyes, looks to the guiro as “the most important and most recognizable part of cumbia’s percussion.”

From Los Angeles Times