bugle
n.n. a musical instrument with a long metal tube and a mouthpiece. You blow into it to make a loud, clear sound, and it is often used in military bands.
n. a brass instrument consisting of a long, conical tube with a flared bell and a cup-shaped mouthpiece. It is typically played by blowing air through the mouthpiece and pressing the valves to change the pitch.
The bugle sounded across the field.
The military band played a bugle call to signal the start of the parade.
The bugle's piercing tone cut through the morning mist, serving as a traditional herald for the arrival of the royal procession.
From Middle English bugle, from Anglo-Norman and Old French bugle, from Latin būculus (“young bull; ox; steer”).
From Late Latin bugulus (“a woman's ornament”).
From Middle English bugle (“bugleweed”), from Anglo-Norman and Old French bugle, from Medieval Latin bugilla, probably related to Late Latin bugillo.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated May 19, 2026