tuba

American  

[too-buh, tyoo-] / ˈtu bə, ˈtyu- /

noun

plural

tubas, tubae

1. Music.

   1. a valved, brass wind instrument having a low range.

   2. an organ reed stop of large scale with tones of exceptional power.

   3. an ancient Roman trumpet.

2. Meteorology. funnel cloud.

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tuba British  

/ ˈtjuːbə /

noun

1. a valved brass instrument of bass pitch, in which the bell points upwards and the mouthpiece projects at right angles. The tube is of conical bore and the mouthpiece cup-shaped

2. any other bass brass instrument such as the euphonium, helicon, etc

3. a powerful reed stop on an organ

4. a form of trumpet of ancient Rome

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tuba Cultural  

1. The lowest-pitched of the brass instruments. In orchestras, the tuba is usually held across the player's lap. In marching bands, the sousaphone is generally used as a low brass instrument because it was designed to be carried.

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Etymology

Origin of tuba

1850–55; < Latin: trumpet; akin to tube

Explanation

A tuba is a large brass instrument that you play by blowing into its mouthpiece. In a marching band, the tuba player plays the lowest, deepest notes (and also has to lug around her tuba). The tuba is the biggest, and among the newest, of all the brass instruments. Tuba players create the low-pitched sound by making a kind of "buzz" with their breath against the mouthpiece and pressing the tuba's valves to form notes. In an orchestra, a tuba player holds the instrument on her lap, while a tuba player in a marching band would use a sousaphone tuba, or helicon, a lighter tuba that can be worn across a shoulder.

Example Sentences

Trombones bleat, a tuba bellows, drums are the heart.

From Salon • Nov. 8, 2025

In the course of his research, Mr. Quinones came to admire the independence of tuba players, the way they remain undaunted in the face of the “disdain or indifference” of their peers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 22, 2025

In short, life in the spotlight is not the life of a tuba player.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 22, 2025

The tuba couldn’t be more different, requiring as it does the nurturing of “that precious breath.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 22, 2025

Bongo can also do a passable tuba, an impressive Chihuahua, and a fine police siren.

From "Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate