sousa: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical/Musical
Quick answer
What does “sousa” mean?
A type of large brass musical instrument.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of large brass musical instrument.
A family of valved brass instruments, specifically the bass member of the tuba family, often called a sousaphone, notable for its forward-facing bell designed for marching bands.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'sousa' itself is equally rare in both dialects. The full instrument name 'sousaphone' is standard. 'Tuba' is a more common generic term in British English for large brass instruments, whereas 'sousaphone' is specifically American in origin and slightly more frequent in US usage.
Connotations
Conjures images of marching bands, American football halftime shows, and traditional brass ensembles. Strongly associated with John Philip Sousa, the American composer and bandmaster for whom it was named.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency as a standalone word 'sousa'. The frequency of 'sousaphone' is low but stable in musical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “sousa” in a Sentence
play [the] sousacarry [a/the] sousathe sousa [of the band]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Found only in musicology or history of instrumentation texts.
Everyday
Extremely rare outside of conversations among musicians or band members.
Technical
Standard term within the domain of brass instruments and marching band logistics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sousa”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sousa”
- Using 'sousa' alone in formal writing (use 'sousaphone').
- Misspelling as 'souza'.
- Confusing it with a 'tuba' (all sousaphones are tubas, but not all tubas are sousaphones).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is an informal shortening of 'sousaphone'. The correct, full term is 'sousaphone'.
It was named after the American composer and bandmaster John Philip Sousa.
A sousaphone wraps around the player's body with a forward-facing bell, designed for ease of carrying while marching. A concert tuba is typically held in the lap.
No. You should always use the full term 'sousaphone' in formal or academic writing.
A type of large brass musical instrument.
Sousa: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsuːzə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsuːzə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the famous composer John Philip SOUSA who marched with his band. A SOUSAphone is the instrument designed for his marching band.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND AS A PHYSICAL FORCE (the deep, enveloping sound of the sousa)
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'sousa' most accurately described as?