piper

[pahy-per]

noun

1. a person who plays on a pipe.

2. a bagpiper.

piper

¹

/ ˈpaɪpə /

noun

1. a person who plays a pipe or bagpipes

2. to bear the cost of an undertaking and control it

Piper

²

/ ˈpaɪpə /

noun

1. John. 1903–92, British artist. An official war artist in World War II, he is known esp for his watercolours of bombed churches and his stained glass in Coventry Cathedral

Word History and Origins

Origin of piper¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English pīpere. See pipe ¹, -er ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. pay the piper,

   1. to pay the cost of something.

   2. to bear the unfavorable consequences of one's actions or pleasures.

      Someday he'll have to pay the piper for all that gambling.

see call the tune (pay the piper).

Example Sentences

While there are romantic elements throughout “By Invitation Only,” the heart of the story lies in the complicated relationship between Chapin and Piper.

From Los Angeles Times

That was when Shane learned what had happened to Piper Alpha, the platform his dad had been working on.

From BBC

Just before 9 a.m., two workers from C. Erwin Piper Technical Center carried planks of plywood to City Hall to board up the windows.

From Los Angeles Times

This week saw Ukraine mount an audacious drone attack on Russian airfields, Donald Trump ban people in 12 countries from travelling to the US, while Billie Piper returned to Doctor Who.

From BBC

Presenter and campaigner Katie Piper has told an audience at the Hay Festival in Wales that "ageing can be compared to a bereavement."

From BBC