Definition of TUBA

tuba

Meanings

Plural: tubae, tubas

Noun

  • the lowest brass wind instrument
  • A large brass musical instrument, usually in the bass range, played through a vibration of the lips upon the mouthpiece and fingering of the keys.
  • A large reed stop in organs.
  • A tube or tubular organ.
  • A type of Roman military trumpet, distinct from the modern tuba.
  • A Malayan plant whose roots are a significant source of rotenone, Derris malaccensis.
  • A reddish palm wine made from coconut or nipa sap.

Origin / Etymology

Borrowed in the 19th century from French tuba (“tuba”), German Tuba (“tuba”), originally Baß-Tuba (literally “bass tuba”), or Italian tuba (“tuba”), from Latin tuba (“tube, trumpet, military trumpet”). The Latin term is of obscure ultimate origin, but is possibly connected to tībia (“shinbone, reed-pipe”); see there.

Synonyms

bass horn, grunt-horn, sousaphone

Scrabble Score: 6

tuba is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
tuba is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
tuba is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 8

tuba is a valid Words With Friends word