uilleann pipes

American  

[ahy-luhn] / ˈaɪ lən /

Or uillean pipes

plural noun

1. Often uilleann pipe. Irish bagpipes held on the knee or under the arms with bellows operated by the elbow.

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Etymology

Origin of uilleann pipes

First recorded in 1875–80; from Irish píob uilleann “pipe of the elbow,” from Irish Gaelic píob “pipe” (ultimately from Vulgar Latin pipa) + uilleann, genitive singular of uillin “elbow,” akin to Latin ulna, Greek ōlénē, Old English eln, elnboga, elboga elbow ( def. )

Example Sentences

Chris has been playing the uilleann pipes for many years, and said he also enjoys playing the flute and tin-whistles.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2025

But Moloney was also an in-demand session musician, lending his haunting work on the uilleann pipes to recordings by the Stones, Stevie Wonder and others.

From BBC • Oct. 15, 2021

Mr. Moloney remained a constant, playing the tin whistle and uilleann pipes — a gentler cousin of the Great Highland bagpipes — in addition to writing and arranging the band’s music.

From Washington Post • Oct. 12, 2021

“This combination of uilleann pipes and bodhran and the stench of Avenue B — it was something I’d never heard before.”

From New York Times • Nov. 7, 2014

So the idea of having Tunde playing kora, an instrument from the Malian and traditional worlds, collaborating with Brian, a uilleann pipes player, is really exciting.

From The Guardian • Mar. 31, 2011