drum Hear it!

drum1 definition

drum (drum)

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
  1. the sound produced by beating a drum, or any sound like this
  2. 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
  3. ☆ any of a family (Sciaenidae) of marine and freshwater percoid fishes that make a drumming sound
  4. Anat.
    1. middle ear
    2. tympanic membrane

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

intransitive verb drummed, drumming drum′·ming

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

transitive verb

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

beat the drum for

Informal to seek to arouse interest in or enthusiasm for

drum out of

  1. Historical to expel from (the army) with drums beating
  2. to expel from in disgrace

drum up

  1. to summon by or as by beating a drum
  2. to get (business, etc.) by soliciting

on drums

playing drums
drum2 definition

drum (drum)

noun

  1. a narrow hill or ridge
  2. drumlin

Etymology: see drumlin

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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