tuba

noun

tu·​ba ˈtü-bə How to pronounce tuba (audio)
ˈtyü-
: a large low-pitched brass instrument usually oval in shape and having a conical tube, a cup-shaped mouthpiece, and a usual range an octave lower than that of the euphonium
tubaist noun
or tubist
ˈtü-bist How to pronounce tuba (audio)
ˈtyü-

Illustration of tuba

Illustration of tuba

Examples of tuba in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Instruments in display cases lined the entryway; what looked like an unusually large tuba sat next to the office’s second-floor kitchenette. Chris Almeida, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2024 Noseda coaxed out beautiful balance between the brass and the strings — with special credit going to the cool, clean, substantial tuba of Stephen Dumaine. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 24 Sep. 2023 Agave distillation began in Colima, research shows, through the adaptation of the Philippine technique for distilling coconut spirits, turning tuba into a stronger coconut liquor known as lambanog or bahalina. Paola Briseño-Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2023 But the tuba – namely the circular kind called a sousaphone – is big. Michelle Krupa, CNN, 3 Oct. 2023 Rayborn studied tuba and played trombone before delving into audio production and sound engineering. Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2023 An annual antiabortion protest marched along just off-camera, complete with a full band with bagpipes and a tuba. Richard Morgan, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2023 Polish your tuba and rock the lederhosen. Wsj Off Duty Editors, WSJ, 10 Sep. 2022 But from early Sunday afternoon until night’s fall, acts such as Dominican rapper Chimbala, enigmatic Colombian vocalist Ryan Castro, sultry Persian-Swedish chanteuse Snoh Aalegra and the 14-piece, two-tuba-filled, pink jacket-wearing, Mexican-American corrido ensemble Fuerza Regida ruled. Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tuba.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Latin, trumpet

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tuba was in 1852

Dictionary Entries Near tuba

Cite this Entry

“Tuba.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tuba. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tuba

noun
tu·​ba ˈt(y)ü-bə How to pronounce tuba (audio)
: a brass musical instrument of lowest pitch with an oval shape and valves for producing different tones

More from Merriam-Webster on tuba

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!