vuvuzela

[ voo-voo-zel-uh ]

noun

1. South African. a long, plastic horn that makes a loud, monotone sound, typically blown by South African fans at soccer matches.

vuvuzela

/ ˌvuːvuːˈzɛlə /

noun

1. an elongated plastic instrument that football fans blow to make a loud noise similar to the trumpeting of an elephant

Word History and Origins

Origin of vuvuzela¹

Probably from Zulu vuvu

Word History and Origins

Origin of vuvuzela¹

C20: from Zulu

Example Sentences

When workers walked out during the busy Fourth of July weekend, people visiting Disneyland, the Anime Expo downtown and the L.A. leg of Taylor Swift’s Eras tour were greeted outside their hotels by picketing workers banging on drums and blowing vuvuzela horns — of which the union has purchased hundreds.

From Los Angeles Times

He saluted his fans who excitedly blew their vuvuzela horns.

From BBC

Uefa prohibited the use of some devices following the 2010 World Cup in South Africa that was dominated by use of the vuvuzela from the stands.

From BBC

Peeing in any place other than a toilet, littering and smoking are also forbidden, and horns and musical instruments are banned - officials don't want a repeat of 2010 when the vuvuzela became the soundtrack of the World Cup in South Africa.

From BBC

Still, among her prized possessions is a vuvuzela from South Africa 2010, little towels from Japan 2002, and bracelets from Russia 2018.

From Los Angeles Times