lyre UK /ˈlaɪ.ə/US /ˈlaɪ.ɚ/noun 4verb 1forms 3 noun4 •An ancient stringed musical instrument (a yoke lute chordophone) of Greek origin, consisting of two arms extending from a body to a crossbar (a yoke), and strings, parallel to the soundboard, connecting the body to the yoke. •Any instrument of the same musicological classification; any yoke lute. •A lyre-shaped sheet music holder that attaches to a wind instrument when a music stand is impractical. •(no longer used) A composer of lyric poetry. verb1 •(rare) to play the lyre formslyred · lyring · lyres