1. A traditional Finnish stringed musical instrument with a flat, trapezoidal wooden body and multiple strings, played by plucking.
Usage: Also called a Finnish zither or harp.; Culturally significant in Finnish folk music.

Examples

• The kantele is one of the most recognizable symbols of Finnish musical heritage.
• She learned to play the kantele as a child in Helsinki.
• The kantele's bright, resonant tones are characteristic of Nordic folk music.
• Traditional kantele music often accompanies Finnish folk dances.
• The musician carefully tuned each string of the kantele before the performance.