noun
calliope
kuh-LEYE-uh-pee
Calliope (noun) means a musical instrument made of steam whistles played from a keyboard, traditionally heard at fairgrounds and on riverboats. Example: “The old riverboat calliope could be heard for miles down the river.”
noun
1
A musical instrument made of steam whistles played from a keyboard, traditionally heard at fairgrounds and on riverboats.
"The old riverboat calliope could be heard for miles down the river."
How to use calliope
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA loud, whistle-based musical organ associated with carnivals and steamboats.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like calliope.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- calliopes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old riverboat _____ could be heard for miles down the river.
Etymology
Named after Calliope, the Greek muse of epic poetry, from kalos ("beautiful") and ops ("voice").
Synonyms
View more →
steam organ
Rhymes for calliope
See all rhymes for calliope →Frequently asked questions
What does “calliope” mean?
The word “calliope” means a musical instrument made of steam whistles played from a keyboard, traditionally heard at fairgrounds and on riverboats. In plain terms, a loud, whistle-based musical organ associated with carnivals and steamboats.
How do you pronounce “calliope”?
“Calliope” is pronounced kuh-LEYE-uh-pee (/kəˈlaɪə.pi/ in IPA).
How do you use “calliope” in a sentence?
Here is “calliope” used in a sentence: “The old riverboat calliope could be heard for miles down the river.”
What part of speech is “calliope”?
“Calliope” is a noun.
Where does the word “calliope” come from?
The word “calliope” comes from Greek. Named after Calliope, the Greek muse of epic poetry, from kalos ("beautiful") and ops ("voice").
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include calliope:
