bagpipe
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
noun
Other Word Forms
- bagpiper noun
Etymology
Origin of bagpipe
First recorded in 1300–50, bagpipe is from the Middle English word baggepipe. See bag, pipe 1
Explanation
A bagpipe is a musical instrument that's played by blowing into a bag through a pipe. The bagpipes are commonly associated with Scotland. It's more common to use the plural form — bagpipes — or even "the pipes" or "a set of pipes." The music produced by bagpipes is distinctive, with a constant harmonizing sound being produced by the drone pipe, and no rests between notes. The bagpipe player squeezes the bag with his arm as he blows a pipe called a chanter, and in formal situations he might wear a kilt and knee socks.
Vocabulary lists containing bagpipe
Music to My Ears: Instrumental Vocab
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Western Europe - Introductory
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Western Europe - Middle School and High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Other shows retooled their broadcasts to share fond memories of Kirk, between visual tiles crafted in tribute to his life and accompanying bursts of bagpipe processions.
From Slate • Sep. 22, 2025
A bagpipe and drum band played at the service, which also was attended by Gov. Ned Lamont and other state leaders.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 5, 2024
He showed off his haul: something he’d thought was a flute, but turned out to be part of a bagpipe.
From New York Times • Feb. 2, 2024
West, who says Morgan didn’t write the finale until after the queen’s death, was deeply moved by the bagpipe player in the episode, which takes its name from the song he performs.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2023
John was just beginning to play it for the third time when there was an answer to it in the form of a bagpipe jig.
From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
