bullhorn

American  

[bool-hawrn] / ˈbʊlˌhɔrn /

Or bull horn

noun

1. a directional, high-powered, electrical loudspeaker or megaphone.

---

bullhorn British  

/ ˈbʊlˌhɔːn /

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): loud-hailer.  a portable loudspeaker having a built-in amplifier and microphone

---

Etymology

Origin of bullhorn

First recorded in 1950–55; bull ¹ + horn

Compare meaning

How does bullhorn compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• bullhorn vs. megaphone

Example Sentences

It was a message sent with a bullhorn, a move made with all the subtlety of an elbow to the ribs.

From Los Angeles Times

The Metropolitan Police said all escort riders now had bullhorns fitted to their motorcycles to ensure public safety.

From BBC

A few hours later, at a nightclub, Law laughs as a silver Jack Frost with a bullhorn yells to the clubbers to “Dance for Santa! Dance for Santa!”

From The Wall Street Journal

Cook County sheriff’s police and the Illinois State Police were on scene, occasionally shouting into bullhorns when protesters or reporters crossed the concrete barriers that had been erected to create a protest zone or box.

From Los Angeles Times

“The community comes with their bullhorns. They come with their sound equipment. They come with their posters, so it’s really just talking to each other and getting stuff accomplished.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• megaphone
• public address system