kazoo

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ka·zoo

 (kə-zo͞o′)
n. pl. ka·zoos
A simple musical instrument consisting of a metal or plastic tube with a single hole covered by a thin membrane that produces a buzzing sound when the player hums or sings into the mouthpiece.

[Perhaps imitative of its sound.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

kazoo

(kəˈzuː)
n, pl -zoos
(Instruments) a cigar-shaped musical instrument of metal or plastic with a membranous diaphragm of thin paper that vibrates with a nasal sound when the player hums into it
[C20: probably imitative of the sound produced]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ka•zoo

(kəˈzu)

n., pl. -zoos.
a musical toy consisting of a tube that is open at both ends and has a hole in the side covered with parchment or membrane, which produces a buzzing sound when the performer hums into one end.
[1880–85]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

kazoo

, bazooka - Dutch bazu, "trumpet," gives us the words kazoo and bazooka, the latter originally being a form of kazoo that was a long sounding-horn.
See also related terms for trumpet.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.kazoo - a toy wind instrument that has a membrane that makes a sound when you hum into the mouthpiecekazoo - a toy wind instrument that has a membrane that makes a sound when you hum into the mouthpiece
wind instrument, wind - a musical instrument in which the sound is produced by an enclosed column of air that is moved by the breath
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
kazoo

kazoo

[kəˈzuː] Nkazoo m, chiflato m
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

kazoo

[kəˈzuː] nkazoo m
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
References in periodicals archive ?
With a colourful banner at the front, dozens of youngsters would proudly and precisely march behind it, often accompanied by the unmistakable sound of drums, percussion and kazoos.
A treat for parents and children to share, Buenos Diaz mixes English and Spanish lyrics to energetic music from electric guitars, drums, horns, even kazoos and toy pianos.
MUSICAL residents at a care home who set up a choir of kazoos are planning to make their public debut at a charity concert to raise money for the Poppy Appeal.
They really are a 'people's band' and are remembered for handing out 2,500 kazoos to the audience at Glastonbury.
In Elmhurst, meanwhile, the parade featured the usual array of bagpipers, politicians and marching bands -- along with the World Famous Elmhurst Armpit Orchestra, which features men in boxer shorts playing kazoos and bucket drums.
ANYONE who remembers Tyneside in the 1970s will recall the sound of kazoos and drums.
As well as the kazoos, Cat is also taking a budgie knitted by team-mate Debbie Paterson's mum as a mascot.
The festival hosts four workshops where guests can build their own 'flamboyant' kazoos for a parade on October 10.
They'll be arriving all the way from the Delta of Stoke-on-Trent, brandishing washboards and tooting kazoos and whistles.
Use the clues to match the names with their creations: a bird feeder from a pop bottle, a papier-mache mask from newspaper, kazoos from a paper towel tube, and finger puppets from marker caps.
Former national service soldiers marched with drill-like precision to kettle and bass drums and kazoos.
Before the group at the Chase branch dispersed, masked protesters played a spirited game of "Red Rover" and blew kazoos as bank employees watched the scene from inside the building.