Main Entry:

¹drum

Pronunciation:

\ˈdrəm\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

probably from Dutch trom; akin to Middle High German trumme drum

Date:

1539

1: a percussion instrument consisting of a hollow shell or cylinder with a drumhead stretched over one or both ends that is beaten with the hands or with some implement (as a stick or wire brush)2: tympanic membrane3: the sound of a drum ; also : a sound similar to that of a drum4: any of various chiefly marine bony fishes (family Sciaenidae) that make a drumming or croaking noise using their air bladder and associated muscles5: something resembling a drum in shape: as a (1): any of the cylindrical blocks that form the shaft of a column (2): a round wall or structure that supports a dome b: a cylindrical machine or mechanical device or part c: a cylindrical container ; specifically : a large usually metal container for liquids <a 55-gallon drum> d: a disk-shaped magazine for an automatic weapon

— drum·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

[drum illustration]