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

The uilleann pipes, also known as Union pipes or Irish pipes, have been played for centuries and are a beloved instrument in Irish traditional music.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2025

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

By age eight, he was learning to play the uilleann pipes under pipe master, Leo Rowsome.

From BBC • Oct. 12, 2021

Ivan Goff plays the uilleann pipes and Anna Wray a range of strident percussion instruments, and the haunting noises they conjure are both lyrical and suspenseful.

From New York Times • Apr. 16, 2017

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