lyre

noun

ˈlī(-ə)r 

1

: a stringed instrument of the harp class having an approximately U-shaped frame and used by the ancient Greeks especially to accompany song and recitation (see recitation sense 2)

2

: a small clip typically resembling a lyre that is use for holding sheet music and attaches to a musical instrument (such as a trombone)

3

capitalized : lyra

Illustration of lyre

• lyre 1

Examples of lyre in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Terpsichore Terpsichore is the Muse of dance and choral song, often depicted with a lyre or dancing shoes. —Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2025

Chaos strikes during a rave when Hard Rock Trolls try to take over the world, and Poppy learns of the six magical lyre strings that once united the musical tribes. —Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023

The night concluded with daughter Carolina presenting her father with a special birthday present, a statue of Apollo playing a lyre, as well as an enormous birthday cake with 70 candles, which the birthday boy proceeded to blow out whilst walking around table-sized dish. —Paul Croughton, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2023

Some recent scholarship has challenged Nero’s reputation for profligacy, suggesting that he was portrayed by ancient historians as a villain, accused of playing a lyre while Rome burned in A.D. 64. —Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 30 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lire, from Anglo-French, from Latin lyra, from Greek

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lyre

• bell lyre

Kids Definition

lyre

noun

ˈlī(ə)r 

: a small harp held in the hands for playing