tuba

[ too-buh, tyoo- ]

/ ˈtu bə, ˈtyu- /

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noun, plural tu·bas for 1a, b; tu·bae

[too-bee, tyoo-] /ˈtu bi, ˈtyu-/ for 1c.

Music.

a valved, brass wind instrument having a low range.
an organ reed stop of large scale with tones of exceptional power.
an ancient Roman trumpet.

Meteorology. funnel cloud.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of tuba

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

Words nearby tuba

tuart, tuatara, Tuatha Dé Danann, tuatua, tub, tuba, tubal, Tubal-cain, tubal ligation, tubal pregnancy, tubate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use tuba in a sentence

Rieger also hinted that she would like to learn how to play the cello or even the tuba.
Wendy Rieger to retire from NBC4|Michael K. Lavers|December 15, 2021|Washington Blade
Still, a tuba, two trombones, a clarinet and a lot of percussion was enough to bring melodies to life.
What science tells us about reducing coronavirus spread from wind instruments|Betsy Ladyzhets|August 6, 2021|Science News
Tubas were lowest risk, producing fewer particles than a person speaking.
What science tells us about reducing coronavirus spread from wind instruments|Betsy Ladyzhets|August 6, 2021|Science News
She played the girl who played the tuba in the school band, and it was about Seth Rogen’s first girlfriend.
How ‘Freaks and Geeks’ went from misfit dramedy to cult classic, as told by its cast and creators: ‘People just like it so much that it thrusts itself from the grave’|Sonia Rao|January 27, 2021|Washington Post

In Taipei, Taiwan, a Bach flash mob consisting of cellists and tuba players took over a train.
Can Bach Make It on NYC’s Subways?|Tom Teodorczuk|March 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There were a couple of black children on one of the floats, and a plump black tuba player marched with the high school band.
‘The Land of the Permanent Wave’ Is Bud Shrake’s Classic Take on ‘60s Texas|Edwin Shrake|February 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He played a bit of flute (and for a brief stint, tuba) in the high school band with just a rudimentary sense of the instruments.
The Football Player Turned Opera Singer|Eve Conant|February 19, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Perhaps you remember that when Alila was christened there was a good supply of tuba at the feast.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade
Tapping the trees for tuba is dangerous work, but Alila, you know, loves danger.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade
There is another cocoanut grove on the farm, beside the one where Alila gets the tuba.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade
The remaining two-thirds of the Pedal organ and three Tuba stops occupy the northeast quarter gallery in the dome.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller
The process can also be followed with rice vinegar (see bleaching agents) substituted for the tuba vinegar.
Philippine Mats|Hugo H. Miller

British Dictionary definitions for tuba

tuba

/ (ˈtjuːbə) /

noun plural -bas or -bae (-biː)

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

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

a powerful reed stop on an organ

a form of trumpet of ancient Rome

Word Origin for tuba

Latin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for tuba

tuba

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.