The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
n. A stringed instrument of India made of seasoned gourds and teak and having a track of 20 movable frets with 6 or 7 metal playing strings above and usually 13 sympathetic resonating strings below.
n. A Hindustani/Indian classical stringed instrument, typically having a gourd as its resonating chamber.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. A Hindu guitar with a pear-shaped body, a long neck, and three or more strings. It is sometimes played with a bow, like a viol.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. a stringed instrument of India; has a long neck and movable frets; has 6 or 7 metal strings for playing and usually 13 resonating strings
Word Usage
"In the face of numerous instruments, the sitar is the most popular in Chitral, northern Pakistan, the invention of which is attributed to Amir Khisro, a 14th century mystic poet, scholar and sage."