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DictionaryfluteWind instrument
noun

flute

FLOOT/fluːt/

A woodwind instrument played by blowing across an opening.

The musician plays the silver flute horizontally across his face.

An older man plays a silver transverse concert flute, with the horizontal keyed tube, embouchure opening at his lower lip, and natural fingering clearly visible.
Etymology
fluteOld Frenchflute, shepherd's pipe

Fleute already named a musical pipe, so the instrument meaning is inherited. The name predates the modern transverse flute and also covered older instruments blown straight through a mouthpiece.

In context

Living the Creative Life12:26
that's really a challenge for a singer, for a flute player, because we lose so much air. We have no resistance with a small breath. We need to play for 20 seconds.
“The Best Piece I’ve Ever Heard” • Berlin Phil Principal Flute Emmanuel Pahud • FULL Interview!

More examples

  • She practiced the flute every day.
  • Several flutes joined the melody.
  • The flute produced a clear high note.

Forms

flute · flutes

Similar words

recorder
A different flute-family instrument with an internal air channel.
clarinet
Uses a reed rather than blowing across an opening.