lyre

American  

[lahy^uhr] / laɪər /

noun

1. a musical instrument of ancient Greece consisting of a soundbox made typically from a turtle shell, with two curved arms connected by a yoke from which strings are stretched to the body, used especially to accompany singing and recitation.

2. Astronomy. Lyre, the constellation Lyra.

---

lyre British  

/ laɪə /

noun

1. an ancient Greek stringed instrument consisting of a resonating tortoise shell to which a crossbar was attached by two projecting arms. It was plucked with a plectrum and used for accompanying songs

2. any ancient instrument of similar design

3. a medieval bowed instrument of the violin family

---

Etymology

Origin of lyre

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English lire, from Latin lyra, from Greek lýra

Explanation

A lyre is a stringed musical instrument that looks like a very small harp. Ancient Greek art includes many pictures of people playing the lyre. In Greek mythology, the god Hermes created the first lyre from the entrails of Apollo's cows. Rather than being angry about the stolen cattle, when Apollo heard the lyre's music, he was enchanted. While musicians today play many versions of lyre-like instruments, the lyre itself is thought of as an antique, mostly of historical interest. While experts know that the root lyra is a Greek word, its origin is unknown.

Example Sentences

Ditto for Grant, who brings along his acoustic guitar, a.k.a. the louche’s lyre.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2025

In fact, Nero often played a type of lyre called a cithara.

From Scientific American • Aug. 9, 2023

But Orpheus, traveling with a group of Argonauts, helped them safely sail past the sirens by loudly playing his lyre and singing.

From New York Times • Sep. 17, 2022

Visitors are greeted with an image of Peter Ustinov as Nero in the movie “Quo Vadis” strumming a lyre — a famous image of the cruel tyrant who notoriously fiddled while Rome burned.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2021

“It’s just that your voice deserves better accompaniment than a lyre can give you. If you’re looking for a straight-string instrument you can carry with you, go for a half-harp.”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss