Sousa

American  

[soo-zuh, -suh] / ˈsu zə, -sə /

noun

1. John Philip, 1854–1932, U.S. band conductor and composer.

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Sousa British  

/ ˈsuːzə /

noun

1. John Philip. 1854–1932, US bandmaster and composer of military marches, such as The Stars and Stripes Forever (1897) and The Liberty Bell (1893)

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Example Sentences

“He groused, ‘Look, we played straight Sousa marches in the last war, and we did all right, didn’t we?’

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

In his speech, delivered Aug. 27, de Sousa proclaimed what many fellow European leaders seem to think, and perhaps whisper in private, but can’t say out loud.

From Slate • Sep. 4, 2025

Army, but actually held in his own honor — at which there was no John Phillips Sousa, no red white and blue bunting and, worst of all, no adoring crowds.

From Salon • Jun. 22, 2025

While Portugal's President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, is not obliged to dissolve the assembly, he has made clear that he will if the government loses Tuesday's vote, with fresh elections likely in May.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2025

And Bunny Corcoran had a habit of playing John Philip Sousa march tunes in his room, at full volume, late at night.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt