calliope

noun

cal·​li·​ope kə-ˈlī-ə-(ˌ)pē How to pronounce calliope (audio)
in sense 2 also
ˈka-lē-ˌōp How to pronounce calliope (audio)
1
capitalized : the Greek Muse of heroic poetry
2
: a keyboard musical instrument resembling an organ and consisting of a series of whistles sounded by steam or compressed air

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With a name literally meaning "beautiful-voiced" (from kallos, meaning "beauty," and ops, meaning "voice"), Calliope was the most prominent of the Muses—the nine sister goddesses who in Greek mythology presided over poetry, song, and the arts and sciences. She is represented in art as holding an epic poem in one hand and a trumpet in the other. The musical instrument invented and patented in the 1850s, played by forcing steam or compressed air through a series of whistles, was named after the goddess. Because its sound could be heard for miles around, the calliope was effective in luring patrons to river showboats, circuses, and carnivals, which is why the instrument continues its association with such attractions today.

Examples of calliope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Lilting calliope music as the 1912 carousel at Trimper Rides spins, with its menagerie of horses, ostriches and a giant stork. Tim Ebner, Washington Post, 10 July 2024 Calliope Hummingbird – One of the smallest hummingbirds in the U.S. the calliope has magenta smears on its throat with pale green on the sides. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Apr. 2024 Or maybe stroll along the bustling Public Landing, listening to the cadence of the dockworkers and the calliope whistles of the steamboats. Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2024 Other species that are less common but have been seen in the state are calliope, Allen’s and Anna’s hummingbirds. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 10 Apr. 2023 See all Example Sentences for calliope 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calliope.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek Kalliopē

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of calliope was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Calliope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calliope. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

calliope

noun
cal·​li·​ope kə-ˈlī-ə-(ˌ)pē How to pronounce calliope (audio)
also
ˈkal-ē-ˌōp How to pronounce calliope (audio)
: a keyboard musical instrument consisting of a set of whistles sounded usually by steam
Etymology

named for Calliope, one of the nine goddesses in Greek mythology who had control over music and poetry

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