noun
panpipes
PAN-pyps
Panpipes (noun) means a musical instrument made of ten or more tubes of different lengths, sealed at the lower end and open at the upper end, played by blowing across the open ends. Example: “He played a folk tune on the panpipes at the market.”
noun
1
A musical instrument made of ten or more tubes of different lengths, sealed at the lower end and open at the upper end, played by blowing across the open ends.
"He played a folk tune on the panpipes at the market."
"The panpipes hung on the wall beside other traditional instruments."
"She learned to make her own panpipes from lengths of bamboo."
How to use panpipes
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA row of tubes of different lengths that you blow across to play music.
When to use it
It is an everyday, neutral term used for both the folk instrument and its classical form.
Memory tip
Panpipes is normally treated as a plural noun, so it takes a plural verb.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
play the panpipes
a set of panpipes
the sound of panpipes
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He played a folk tune on the _____ at the market.
Etymology
The name combines Pan, the Greek god of nature, with pipes.
Synonyms
View more →
pan flute
syrinx
Related words
Rhymes for panpipes
See all rhymes for panpipes →Frequently asked questions
What are panpipes?
They are a wind instrument made of several tubes of different lengths bound together, each producing a different note.
How do you play panpipes?
You blow across the open top of each tube to produce a note, moving between tubes for different pitches.
Are panpipes and the pan flute the same instrument?
Yes, pan flute is simply another common name for panpipes.
What is the meaning of panpipes?
"panpipes" (noun) means a musical instrument made of ten or more tubes of different lengths, sealed at the lower end and open at the upper end, played by blowing across the open ends.
