flute /flu(ː)t/noun 9verb 4forms 3phrases 1 noun9 •A woodwind instrument consisting of a tube with a row of holes that produce sound through vibrations caused by air blown across the edge of the holes, often tuned by plugging one or more holes with a finger; the Western concert flute, a transverse side-blown flute of European origin.The group played huge drums placed overhead, along with flutes and a kotolike zither. — 2008 •(informal) A recorder, also a woodwind instrument. •A glass with a long, narrow bowl and a long stem, used for drinking wine, especially champagne.These are champagne glasses, says Peggy. No, I mean the tall ones, Jamie says. You're thinking of flutes, says Peggy. These are coupes. — 2018 •A lengthwise groove, such as one of the lengthwise grooves on a classical column, or a groove on a cutting tool (such as a drill bit, endmill, or reamer), which helps to form both a cutting edge and a channel through which chips can escape. •A semicylindrical vertical groove, as in a pillar, in plaited cloth, or in a rifle barrel to cut down the weight. •An organ stop with a flute-like sound. •A long French bread roll, baguette. •A shuttle in weaving tapestry etc. •A kind of flyboat; a storeship. verb4 •To play on a flute. •To form flutes or channels in (as in a column, a ruffle, etc.); to cut a semicylindrical vertical groove in (as in a pillar, etc.). •To make a flutelike sound.The green turf was velvet underfoot. The blackbirds fluted in the hazels there. — 1895 •To utter with a flutelike sound. formsfluted · fluting · flutes Phrases with flute flute aroundTo waste time.
