noun
bugle
BYOO-guhl
Bugle (noun) means a brass wind instrument without valves, used mainly for military calls, played by adjusting lip pressure to move between notes. Example: “A lone bugle played the last post at the war memorial.”
noun
1
A brass wind instrument without valves, used mainly for military calls, played by adjusting lip pressure to move between notes.
"A lone bugle played the last post at the war memorial."
"The camp woke to the sound of a bugle every morning."
verb
1
To sound a call in the manner of a bugle, or to announce something loudly.
"The elk bugled across the valley at dusk."
How to use bugle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA simple military-style brass horn, or the sound it makes.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "bugler" (the person who plays it) — a common spelling mix-up.
Common pairings
sound the bugle
a bugle call
blow a bugle
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Word forms
- Plural
- bugles
- Third person singular
- bugles
- Past tense
- bugled
- Comparative
- more bugle
- Superlative
- most bugle
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A lone _____ played the last post at the war memorial.
Etymology
From Middle English bugle, via Anglo-Norman from Latin buculus, "young ox" — bugles were originally made from ox horn.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “bugle” mean?
The word “bugle” means a brass wind instrument without valves, used mainly for military calls, played by adjusting lip pressure to move between notes. In plain terms, a simple military-style brass horn, or the sound it makes.
How do you pronounce “bugle”?
“Bugle” is pronounced BYOO-guhl (/ˈbjuːɡəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “bugle” in a sentence?
Here is “bugle” used in a sentence: “A lone bugle played the last post at the war memorial.”
What part of speech is “bugle”?
Depending on how it is used, “bugle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bugle” come from?
The word “bugle” comes from Latin. From Middle English bugle, via Anglo-Norman from Latin buculus, "young ox" — bugles were originally made from ox horn.
How many meanings does “bugle” have?
“Bugle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a brass wind instrument without valves, used mainly for military calls, played by adjusting lip pressure to move between notes.
