fifer

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

fife /faɪf/  n. [countable]

1. Music and Dance a small flute used in marching bands.

fif•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

fife  (fīf ), n., v., fifed, fif•ing. 
n. 

1. Music and Dance a high-pitched transverse flute used commonly in military and marching musical groups.

v.i., v.t. 

2. Music and Dance to play on a fife.

• German Pfeife pipe¹
• 1540–50

fif′er, n. 

Fife  (fīf ), n. 

Also called Fife•shire  (fīf′shēr, -shər). a historic county in E Scotland.
1. Place Names a region in E Scotland. 336,339;
   504 sq. mi. (1305 sq. km).