reveille
Americannoun
-
a signal, as of a drum or bugle, sounded early in the morning to awaken military personnel and to alert them for assembly.
-
a signal to arise.
noun
-
a signal, given by a bugle, drum, etc, to awaken soldiers or sailors in the morning
-
the hour at which this takes place
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of reveille
1635–45; < French réveillez, plural imperative of réveiller to awaken, equivalent to r ( e ) - re- + éveiller, Old French esveillier ≪ Latin ēvigilāre to watch, be vigilant ( ē- e- 1 + vigilāre to watch; see vigil)
Explanation
If you've ever heard an early morning bugle alongside a flag being raised, you know exactly what reveille sounds like. It's meant to wake everyone up in a patriotic way. This word is a modification of French imperative réveillez, which means wake up, or "Awaken!" Appropriately, the noun reveille refers to a bugle call meant to accomplish exactly this. Reveille most often occurs at sunrise in a military encampment or base when a bugler plays a familiar tune to wake up the military personnel.
Vocabulary lists containing reveille
The Color of Water
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Nickel Boys
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
When My Name Was Keoko
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The implied message may as well be a reveille blare: Nothing so minor should get in the way of anyone’s aspirations to serve their country.
From Salon • Oct. 10, 2025
In childhood, he was an Eagle Scout and a bugle player; at Boy Scout camp, he played reveille in the mornings and taps at night.
From Washington Post • Jan. 6, 2022
From reveille to lights-out, the boy trumpeters sounded calls for all activities of the day.
From BBC • Dec. 30, 2021
After reveille just after dawn, an hour is allowed for exercise and showers.
From Reuters • Dec. 16, 2021
A hurricane won’t move her, but the sound of a crying baby or a falling pot will send her to her feet like a soldier at reveille.
From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
