sitar

American  

[si-tahr] / sɪˈtɑr /

noun

1. a lute of India with a small, pear-shaped body and a long, broad, fretted neck.

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sitar British  

/ ˈsɪtɑː, sɪˈtɑː /

noun

1. a stringed musical instrument, esp of India, having a long neck, a rounded body, and movable frets. The main strings, three to seven in number, overlie other sympathetic strings, the tuning depending on the raga being performed

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Other Word Forms

• sitarist noun

Etymology

Origin of sitar

First recorded in 1835–45, sitar is from the Hindi word sitār

Example Sentences

At the age of 13, she dazzles audiences across India with her piano and sitar performances.

From Los Angeles Times

Whether it’s a semi-ironic obsession with artisanal cheese-making, a random passion for sitar music or a stubborn preference for a flip phone, there are many wonderful contradictions about humans that algorithms can’t quite pin down.

From Salon

“Good morning, sunshine!” chirps her mother in lo-fi, as a sitar shrugs along, giving the soul ballad a psychedelic touch.

From Los Angeles Times

While in India he has also collaborated with sitar musician Megha Rawoot on a version of his hit song Shape of You.

From BBC

He said he knew the famous theme tune had captured the essence of 007 after switching the main riff from a sitar to an electric guitar.

From BBC