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

Somewhere in the heated mist hovered the howls of Albert Ayler and the clarion call of his brother Donald’s trumpet, followed by the Ornette Coleman Quartet, saluting him with joyous cacophony. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026

With trumpets, fanfare and millions of dollars, Belichick rode into Chapel Hill last season as the guy who won six Super Bowls in New England as an NFL head coach. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 17 July 2026

Verb

The biggest hope was probably SpaceXAI, trumpeting the promise of generative artificial intelligence. — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Many landed expecting the politically fractured country that global headlines often trumpet. — Sarah Raza, Fortune, 18 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