trumpet

1 of 2

noun

trum·​pet ˈtrəm-pət 

1

a

: a wind instrument consisting of a conical or cylindrical usually metal tube, a cup-shaped mouthpiece, and a flared bell

specifically : a valved brass instrument having a cylindrical tube with two turns and a usual range from F sharp below middle C upward for 2½ octaves

b

: a musical instrument (such as a cornet) resembling a trumpet

2

: a trumpet player

3

: something that resembles a trumpet or its tonal quality: such as

a

: a funnel-shaped instrument (such as a megaphone) for collecting, directing, or intensifying sound

b(1)

: a stentorian voice

(2)

: a penetrating cry (as of an elephant)

trumpetlike

ˈtrəm-pət-ˌlīk 

adjective

Illustration of trumpet

• trumpet 1a

trumpet

2 of 2

verb

trumpeted; trumpeting; trumpets

intransitive verb

1

: to blow a trumpet

2

: to make a sound suggestive of that of a trumpet

transitive verb

: to sound or proclaim on or as if on a trumpet

trumpet the news

Synonyms of trumpet

Verb

• announce
• publish
• proclaim
• declare

Examples of trumpet in a Sentence

Noun

the trumpet of a flower

Verb

He likes to trumpet his own achievements.

The law was trumpeted as a solution to everything.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Their lineup features singers Sheila Quero and Esther González, guitarist Vicky Blum, drummer Eli Fabregas, bassist Carla González and her trumpet-playing sister Mila González. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026

Bright Eyes members Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott also appear, with Mogis mixing and Walcott contributing trumpet. — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2026

Verb

Trump began his second term last year by trumpeting the construction of the Panama Canal during the Roosevelt administration. — CBS News, 1 July 2026

In this case, neither side could confidently trumpet the science, even though their arguments circled around it. — Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 1 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English trompette, from Anglo-French, from trumpe trump

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing trumpet

• blow one's own trumpet
• trumpet creeper
• trumpet flower
• trumpet honeysuckle
• trumpet vine

Rhymes for trumpet

• strumpet

Kids Definition

trumpet

1 of 2 noun

trum·​pet ˈtrəm-pət 

1

: a wind instrument consisting of a long cylindrical metal tube commonly once or twice curved and ending in a bell

2

: something shaped like a trumpet

3

: a sound like that of a trumpet

trumpet

2 of 2 verb

1

: to blow a trumpet

2

: to make a sound like that of a trumpet