trumpet

1 of 2

noun

trum·​pet ˈtrəm-pət How to pronounce trumpet (audio)
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 2¹/₂ 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 adjective

Illustration of trumpet

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The famed actor played the French horn and trumpet in his school orchestra between the fifth and twelfth grades. Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025 Jacob Toney, Cascade High A senior trumpet player and section leader who plays in the marching, concert and jazz bands. Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
From homeless child to career sales of $2B, Marco Robinson‘s website trumpets a remarkable rags-to-riches journey. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025 Meyers later played a montage of Trump trumpeting his record purportedly opposing censorship and bringing free speech back to America, before cutting to a second montage of breaking news clips about Kimmel’s suspension. Chad De Guzman, Time, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trumpet

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of trumpet was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trumpet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trumpet. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

trumpet

1 of 2 noun
trum·​pet ˈtrəm-pət How to pronounce trumpet (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on trumpet

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