trumpet

American  

[truhm-pit] / ˈtrʌm pɪt /

noun

1. Music.

   1. any of a family of brass wind instruments with a powerful, penetrating tone, consisting of a tube commonly curved once or twice around on itself and having a cup-shaped mouthpiece at one end and a flaring bell at the other.

   2. an organ stop having a tone resembling that of a trumpet.

   3. a trumpeter.

2. something used as or resembling a trumpet, especially in sound.

3. a sound like that of a trumpet.

4. the loud shrill cry of an animal, especially an elephant.

5. ear trumpet.

6. trumpets, any of several pitcher plants of the southeastern U.S.

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verb (used without object)

trumpets, present (3rd person singular) trumpeted, past participle, past trumpeting present participle

1. to blow a trumpet.

2. to emit a loud, trumpetlike cry, as an elephant.

verb (used with object)

trumpets, present (3rd person singular) trumpeted, past participle, past trumpeting present participle

1. to sound on a trumpet.

2. to utter with a sound like that of a trumpet.

3. to proclaim loudly or widely.

trumpet British  

/ ˈtrʌmpɪt /

noun

1. a valved brass instrument of brilliant tone consisting of a narrow tube of cylindrical bore ending in a flared bell, normally pitched in B flat. Range: two and a half octaves upwards from F sharp on the fourth line of the bass staff

2. any instrument consisting of a valveless tube ending in a bell, esp a straight instrument used for fanfares, signals, etc

3. a person who plays a trumpet in an orchestra

4. a loud sound such as that of a trumpet, esp when made by an animal

   the trumpet of the elephants

5. an eight-foot reed stop on an organ

6. something resembling a trumpet in shape, esp in having a flared bell

7. short for ear trumpet

8. to boast about oneself; brag

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verb

1. to proclaim or sound loudly

trumpet Cultural  

1. A brass instrument with a brilliant tone, much used in classical music, as well as in military music and jazz.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• trumpet-like
  adjective
• trumpetlike
  adjective
• trumpetless
  adjective
• untrumpeted
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has trumpeted
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have trumpeted
  perfect
• have been trumpeting
  perfect progressive
• am trumpeting
  progressive 1st person singular
• has been trumpeting
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• are trumpeting
  progressive
• trumpets
  singular 3rd person
• is trumpeting
  progressive 3rd person singular
• trumpeting
  participle

Past

• had trumpeted
  perfect
• were trumpeting
  progressive plural
• had been trumpeting
  perfect progressive
• trumpeted
  participle
• was trumpeting
  progressive singular
• trumpeted
  simple

Future

• will trumpet
  simple
• will have trumpeted
  perfect
• will have been trumpeting
  perfect progressive
• will be trumpeting
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of trumpet

1300–50; Middle English trumpette, trompette < French, equivalent to trompe trump ² + -ette -et

Explanation

A trumpet is a brass instrument that you play by blowing into its mouthpiece and pressing valves to form notes. If your older brother has trouble getting up in the morning, you can help him out by practicing your trumpet outside his bedroom door at six a.m. Trumpets fall under the category of brass instruments, along with tubas and saxophones. When you play a trumpet, you need to use something called embouchure, the proper shaping of your mouth and lips so your breath buzzes against the mouthpiece in just the right way. Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis were famous jazz trumpet players. As a verb, to trumpet is to announce something very loudly, as if you were playing it on a trumpet.

Example Sentences

Dan Schlosberg’s seven-player arrangement of Barber’s technicolor orchestration, conducted by Mr. Ashworth, was clever but mostly loud with prominent trumpet and trombone, contributing to a musical performance that had just one gear: ferociously strident intensity.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

Flea, was a little boy, his attraction to the trumpet was all-consuming and amorous.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

The result is a daring collection of originals and covers that highlight Flea’s unbridled dedication to both the trumpet and bass, but also his eclectic influences and tastes.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Thudding drums, an electric guitar that chugs like a tank’s engine turning over and blaring trumpet fanfare announce the onset of football on CBS, Fox and NBC.

From Salon • Mar. 18, 2026

Twenty-four feet tall, wearing his black cloak with the grace of a nobleman, still carrying his long trumpet in one hand, he strode magnificently across the Palace lawn towards the window.

From "The BFG" by Roald Dahl

Related Words

• advertise
• proclaim
• publish
• tout