brass band

American  

noun

Music.

1. a band made up principally of brass wind instruments.

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brass band British  

noun

1. See band 1

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brass band Cultural  

1. A musical group composed of brass and percussion instruments. Sometimes called marching bands, brass bands often play at athletic events and military exercises and in parades.

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Etymology

Origin of brass band

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

"I wanted to hire half a dozen brass-bands to meet you," he told his wife the morning of her arrival, and kissed her brazenly.

From The Purple Heights by Oemler, Marie Conway

Conversion is silent and comes from within, and not to the din of brass-bands and screaming hallelujahs.

From Unicorns by Huneker, James

No brass-bands played, none sang a ditty of triumph as I took my way; no signs of "Welcome to Our City" were hung across the street that day!

From Rippling Rhymes by Mason, Walt

Three brass-bands, a company of six opera-singers, a Hawaiian sextette, and four youths who played saxophones and guitars disguised as wash-boards.

From Main Street by Lewis, Sinclair

And two brass-bands, and recitations and flags and jags and grub to follow waiting for you?'

From Options by Henry, O.