ENGLISH
REFERENCE

trumpet

n. · v.
US //ˈtɹəmpət// UK //tɹˈʌmpɪt// trum·pet
  1. 1 musical instrument (n.)
    A2 Elementary Music

    a metal musical instrument that you blow into to make a loud, bright sound.

    a brass instrument with a flared bell and three valves, typically pitched in B-flat.

    Example

    He practiced the trumpet every afternoon until he could play the high notes clearly.

    Example

    The lead trumpet performed a brilliant solo that soared above the rest of the jazz ensemble during the final movement.
  2. 2 animal sound (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the loud, powerful cry made by an elephant.

    the characteristic loud, resonant vocalisation produced by an elephant through its trunk.

    Example

    We heard the loud trumpet of an elephant coming from the trees.

    Example

    The sudden trumpet of the matriarch echoed through the valley, signalling the herd to move toward the watering hole.
  3. 3 to announce proudly (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to tell everyone about something in a very proud or loud way.

    to proclaim or announce something loudly and insistently, often to celebrate an achievement.

    Example

    The company began to trumpet its success as soon as the sales figures were released.

    Example

    The administration continued to trumpet the new policy as a landmark achievement, despite growing criticism from independent economists.
  4. 4 to make a loud sound (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to make a loud cry like an elephant or a loud noise like a horn.

    to emit a loud, resonant sound resembling that of a trumpet; used of animals or mechanical objects.

    Example

    The elephants trumpeted loudly when they reached the river.

    Example

    The old steam whistle trumpeted a final warning before the ship pulled away from the dock.
    • bellow
    • blare
Origin

From Middle English trumpet, trumpette, trompette (“trumpet”), from Old French trompette (“trumpet”), diminutive of trompe (“horn, trump, trumpet”), from Frankish trumpa, trumba (“trumpet”), ultimately imitative. Cognate with Old High German trumpa, trumba (“horn, trumpet”), Middle Dutch tromme (“drum”), Middle Low German trumme (“drum”), Old Norse trumba (“pipe; trumpet”). More at drum. Displaced native English beme, from Middle English beme, from Old English bīeme.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

Last updated June 20, 2026