flute  (flo?ot)n.1. Music a. A high-pitched woodwind instrument consisting of a slender tube closed at one end with keys and finger holes on the side and an opening near the closed end across which the breath is blown. Also called transverse flute.b. Any of various similar reedless woodwind instruments, such as the recorder.c. An organ stop whose flue pipe produces a flutelike tone.2. a. Architecture A long, usually rounded groove incised as a decorative motif on the shaft of a column, for example.b. A similar groove or furrow, as in a pleated ruffle of cloth or on a piece of furniture.3. A tall narrow wineglass, often used for champagne.v. flut·ed, flut·ing, flutes v.tr.1. Music To play (a tune) on a flute.2. To produce in a flutelike tone.3. To make flutes in (a column, for example).v.intr.1. Music To play a flute.2. To sing, whistle, or speak with a flutelike tone.[Middle English floute, from Old French flaute, from Old Provençal flaüt, perhaps a blend of flaujol, flageolet (from Vulgar Latin *fl?beolum; see flageolet) and laut, lute; see lute1.]flut?er n.flut?ey, flut?y adj.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.flute (flu?t) n1. (Instruments) a wind instrument consisting of an open cylindrical tube of wood or metal having holes in the side stopped either by the fingers or by pads controlled by keys. The breath is directed across a mouth hole cut in the side, causing the air in the tube to vibrate. Range: about three octaves upwards from middle C2. (Instruments) any pipe blown directly on the principle of a flue pipe, either by means of a mouth hole or through a fipple3. (Architecture) architect a rounded shallow concave groove on the shaft of a column, pilaster, etc4. a groove or furrow in cloth, etc5. (Cookery) a tall narrow wineglass6. anything shaped like a flutevb7. to produce or utter (sounds) in the manner or tone of a flute8. (tr) to make grooves or furrows in[C14: from Old French flahute, via Old Provençal, from Vulgar Latin flabeolum (unattested); perhaps also influenced by Old Provençal laut lute; see flageolet] ?flute?like adj ?fluty, ?flutey adjCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014flute (flut) n., v. flut?ed, flut?ing. n. 1. a wind instrument with a high range, consisting of a tube with a series of fingerholes or keys in which the wind is directed against a sharp edge, either directly, as in the modern transverse flute, or through a flue, as in the recorder. 2. one of a series of long, usu. rounded grooves, as on the shaft of a column. 3. any groove or furrow, as in a ruffle of cloth or on a piecrust. 4. a stemmed glass with a tall, slender bowl, used esp. for champagne. v.i. 5. to produce flutelike sounds. 6. to play on a flute. v.t. 7. to utter in flutelike tones. 8. to form flutes or furrows in. [1350?1400; Middle English floute