bugle

1 of 4

noun (1)

bu·​gle ˈbyü-gəl How to pronounce bugle (audio)
: 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

Illustration of bugle

bugle

3 of 4

verb

bugled; bugling ˈbyü-g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce bugle (audio)

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
The crystal and sequin design featured a dandelion design and bugle bead embroidery, Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Hornsby plays Kenyatta as a man always standing rigidly at attention, a soldier who hears the bugle calling. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2024 The two parties unite behind the bugle cry that the United States is the indispensable nation uniquely endowed with angelic DNA tasked with cramming political virtue down the throats of adversaries by force and violence — i.e., a warfare state. Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 2 Feb. 2024 The number, which retails for $5,990, features a sweeping neckline outlined by bugle bead embroidery and has a high leg slit at the back. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 8 Jan. 2024 To select the game’s four tones, Baer researched a variety of musical instruments, eventually choosing the notes G, C, E, and G played on a bugle. IEEE Spectrum, 29 Nov. 2023 For the Fashion Week event, Sánchez wore a Staud black minidress to her show, embroidered with jet bugle beads and a silver constellation pattern (her fiancé’s love of space shared across many mediums). Chloe Malle, Vogue, 13 Nov. 2023 Video From The New Yorker La Isla: Women Speak Out After Mass Arrests in El Salvador To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video On Saturday, inside the exclusion zone, the bugles and the silence were immaculate. Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 15 Nov. 2023 The salad sounds like a pleasant melody but eats like a bugle blast, what with fried shallots, chili jam, lime juice, fresh mint and roasted coconut engaging with the steamed banana blossoms, chicken and shrimp in your mouth. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2023
Verb
Among golden aspens with bull elk bugling down the canyon, my Orvis Encounter rod and reel combo worked Adams dry flies past slack water to fish lying in wait, flawlessly. Rob McDonald, Field & Stream, 13 Sep. 2023 Campers here love the chance to spot grazing bison and meadows blooming with wildflowers in the spring and summer, as well as bull elk bugling in the fall. Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 26 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bugle.' 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of bugle was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near bugle

Cite this Entry

“Bugle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bugle. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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.

More from Merriam-Webster on bugle

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