bugle

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

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

September brings cooler temperatures and fewer visitors, along with fall colors and bugling elk. —Taryn Shorr-McKee, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026

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

Deafening screams vindicated my decision to bugle again and all resumed as before, save that the chorus was even more intense. —Jim Tschetter, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

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.