reed organ

American  

noun

1. a musical keyboard instrument, as the harmonium or American organ, having small metal reeds through which air is forced to produce the sound.

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reed organ British  

noun

1. a wind instrument, such as the harmonium, accordion, or harmonica, in which the sound is produced by reeds, each reed producing one note only

2. a type of pipe organ, such as the regal, in which all the pipes are fitted with reeds

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Etymology

Origin of reed organ

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

On Venus, sounds that are caused by solid objects vibrating, like harmonicas or reed organ pipes, would be pitched down because the atmosphere is dense and soupy.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2025

“A reed organ is a small foot pedal organ that was a regulation instrument in pre-war Japanese elementary schools,” she explains.

From The Guardian • Mar. 24, 2017

Mr. Cha-Beach, meanwhile, marshaled an eclectic array of instruments including a bellows reed organ and a musical saw.

From New York Times • Jul. 31, 2016

From the baroque tumult that is opener Dear Lincoln to the closing track, A Purpose, performed on an 1898 American reed organ, there is no let-up.

From The Guardian • May 28, 2013

Somebody was at the organ—the little reed organ.

From On Christmas Day In The Evening by Relyea, C. M. (Charles Mark)