Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » drum

drum

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of a drum is a round metal or hollow wooden instrument with a flexible material stretched over it that is played by hitting with sticks or hands.

(noun)

An example of a drum is the instrument that Tommy Lee plays in the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe.

See drum in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. a percussion instrument consisting of a hollow cylinder or hemisphere with a membrane stretched tightly over the end or ends, played by beating with the hands, sticks, etc.
2. a set of drums and cymbals played by one person in a jazz, rock, or dance band
the sound produced by beating a drum, or any sound like this
any of various drumlike cylindrical objects; specif.,
1. a metal spool or cylinder around which cable, etc. is wound in a machine
2. a barrel-like metal container for oil, etc.
3. any of the cylindrical blocks making up the shaft of a stone column
4. the circular or polygonal wall supporting a dome
☆ any of a family (Sciaenidae) of marine and freshwater percoid fishes that make a drumming sound
Anat.
1. middle ear
2. tympanic membrane

Origin: < Du trom, akin to MLowG trumme, drum, OHG trumba, of echoic orig.

intransitive verb drummed, drumming

to beat a drum
to beat or tap continually or rhythmically, as with the fingers
☆ to make a loud, reverberating sound by quivering the wings: said of the ruffed grouse, etc.

transitive verb

to play (a tune, rhythm, etc.) on or as on a drum
to beat or tap continually
to assemble by beating a drum
to instill (ideas, facts, etc.) into by continued repetition

noun

a narrow hill or ridge
drumlin

Origin: see drumlin

See drum in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A percussion instrument consisting of a hollow cylinder or hemisphere with a membrane stretched tightly over one or both ends, played by beating with the hands or sticks.
b. A sound produced by this instrument.
Something resembling a drum in shape or structure, especially a barrellike metal container or a metal cylinder wound with cable, wire, or heavy rope.
Architecture
a. A circular or polygonal wall supporting a dome or cupola. Also called tambour.
b. Any of the cylindrical stone blocks that are stacked to form the shaft of a column.
Any of various marine and freshwater fishes of the family Sciaenidae that make a drumming sound.
Anatomy The eardrum.

verb drummed drummed, drum·ming, drums

verb, intransitive

To play a drum or drums.
To thump or tap rhythmically or continually: nervously drummed on the table.
To produce a booming, reverberating sound by beating the wings, as certain birds do.

verb, transitive

To perform (a piece or tune) on or as if on a drum.
To summon by or as if by beating a drum.
To make known to or force upon (a person) by constant repetition: drummed the answers into my head.
To expel or dismiss in disgrace. Often used with out: was drummed out of the army.

Phrasal Verb: drum up To bring about by continuous, persistent effort: drum up new business. To devise; invent: drummed up an alibi.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English drom

Origin: , probably alteration of Middle Dutch tromme

Origin: , probably of imitative origin

Learn more about drum

drum synonyms

drum computer definition

drum medical definition

drum phrase meanings

drum in a sentence

drum quotes