fife

¹ American  

[fahyf] / faɪf /

noun

1. a high-pitched transverse flute used commonly in military and marching musical groups.

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verb (used with or without object)

fifed, fifing

1. to play on a fife.

Fife ² American  

[fahyf] / faɪf /

noun

1. Also called Fifeshire.  a historic county in E Scotland.

2. a region in E Scotland. 504 sq. mi. (1,305 sq. km).

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fife ¹ British  

/ faɪf /

noun

1. a small high-pitched flute similar to the piccolo and usually having no keys, used esp in military bands

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verb

1. to play (music) on a fife

Fife ² British  

/ faɪf /

noun

1. Duncan See Duncan Phyfe

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Fife ³ British  

/ faɪf /

noun

1. a council area and historical county of E central Scotland, bordering on the North Sea between the Firths of Tay and Forth: coastal lowlands in the north and east, with several ranges of hills; mainly agricultural. Administrative centre: Glenrothes. Pop: 352 040 (2003 est). Area: 1323 sq km (511 sq miles)

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fife Cultural  

1. A small flute with a high, piercing tone, used mainly in military bands.

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Other Word Forms

• fifer noun

Etymology

Origin of fife

1540–50; < German Pfeife pipe ¹

Explanation

A fife is a musical instrument that looks like a very small flute. Fifes are usually made of wood, rather than metal, and are common in military marching bands. A fife is much more high-pitched than a flute—it's also louder and more shrill sounding. It was a popular instrument in some of the folk music in medieval Europe, and especially during the Colonial period in America, when it was played more than violins or pianos. Because it's so portable and relatively loud for its size, the fife became widely used in military and marching bands starting during the Renaissance period.

Example Sentences

“Death to My Hometown” carried a faint whiff of Revolutionary War cosplay as several E Streeters temporarily became a miniature fife and drum corps.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2024

There was a “Spirit of ’76”—three men with fife and drum.

From Slate • Jun. 20, 2020

A soundtrack absent of bagpipes, fife and drums and marching bands.

From Washington Times • Mar. 18, 2020

As the man struck a martial tattoo on his drum, another man in period costume began playing a fife and leading Heather’s class in circles outside George Washington’s iconic white-columned home.

From Washington Post • Aug. 4, 2017

Paper and ink, poems and my postbox are medicines that heal the wounds of a fife without freedom.

From "Tasting the Sky" by Ibtisam Barakat

Related Words

• blare
• hiss