bugle

1 of 4

noun (1)

bu·​gle ˈbyü-gəl 

: any of a genus (Ajuga) of plants of the mint family

especially : a European annual (A. reptans) that has spikes of blue flowers and is naturalized in the U.S.

bugle

2 of 4

noun (2)

: a valveless brass instrument that resembles a trumpet and is used especially for military calls

Illustration of bugle

bugle

3 of 4

verb

bugled; bugling ˈbyü-g(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to sound a bugle

2

: to utter the characteristic rutting call of the bull elk

bugle

4 of 4

noun (3)

: a small cylindrical bead of glass or plastic used for trimming especially on women's clothing

Did you know?

What is the origin of bugle?

In early English, the word bugle meant “wild ox.” The horns of oxen were made into signaling devices for soldiers and hunters, first called bugle horns. Later this was shortened to bugle.

Examples of bugle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Claire Danes offered a fresh interpretation of winter white in a GapStudio couture gown by Zac Posen, crafted from off‑white silk jersey and accented with subtle bugle beading and a low scoop back. —Alex Badia, Footwear News, 11 Jan. 2026

Each fall, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado typically fills with visitors eager to see the aspens turn gold, hear elk bugle through the valleys, and catch those last clear days before snow settles on the peaks. —AFAR Media, 23 Oct. 2025

Verb

Visit Yosemite National Park in the fall for vibrant colors and open access to popular trails like Mist Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the spring for gorgeous wildflower blooms, or Rocky Mountain National Park in September for golden Aspen tree hikes and bugling elk. —Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Sep. 2025

Some cheered the kids on with blasts from conch shells; another boater bugled tunes. —Debra Utacia Krol, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English bugle, bugill, borrowed from Anglo-French bugle, borrowed from Medieval Latin bugula, of uncertain origin; perhaps from the same source as Late Latin bugillōn-, bugillō, if it designates the same plant

Noun (2)

Middle English, buffalo, instrument made of buffalo horn, bugle, from Anglo-French, from Latin buculus, diminutive of bos head of cattle — more at cow

Noun (3)

perhaps from bugle entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1573, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bugle

• centrifugal
• frugal
• fugal
• google
• kugel

Kids Definition

bugle

noun

bu·​gle

ˈbyü-gəl

: a brass musical instrument like the trumpet but without valves

bugle verb

bugler

-glər

noun

Etymology

Noun

Middle English bugle "wild ox," from early French bugle (same meaning), from Latin buculus "young steer"

Word Origin

In early English the word bugle meant "wild ox." The horns of oxen were made into signaling devices for soldiers and hunters, first called bugle horns. Later this was shortened to bugle.