1 uilleann pipes | Definition of uilleann pipes
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uilleann pipes

plural noun, often capitalized
uil·​leann pipes | \ ˈi-lÉ™n- How to pronounce uilleann pipes (audio) \

Definition of uilleann pipes

: an Irish bagpipe with air supplied by a bellows held under and worked by the elbow

Examples of uilleann pipes in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Highlights this year will include tunes from a trio playing uilleann pipes, harp, and double bass, to the contemporary all-string Kirkos Ensemble, the modern jazz songs of Aoife Doyle Music, and R&B soul-pop quartet Super Silly. — David Jefferys, Condé Nast Traveler, "What to Do in Dublin in July 2018," 28 June 2018 Green Fields of America musicians include: Tim Britton (tin whistle, flute, uilleann pipes), Denis Cahill (guitar), Liz Carroll (fiddle), Karan Casey (vocals), Fr. — Mick Moloney, Smithsonian, "How One Impromptu Jam Session Spawned a Sweeping Irish American Music Revival," 16 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'uilleann pipes.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of uilleann pipes

1906, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for uilleann pipes

uilleann from Irish, genitive singular of uillinn elbow, from Old Irish uilen; akin to Old English eln ell — more at ell

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