drum

¹drum

noun \ˈdrəm\

Definition of DRUM

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 membrane

3

: the sound of a drum; also : a sound similar to that of a drum

4

: any of various chiefly marine bony fishes (family Sciaenidae) that make a drumming or croaking noise using their air bladder and associated muscles

5

: 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

Illustration of DRUM

Origin of DRUM

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

First Known Use: 1539

Rhymes with DRUM

bum, chum, come, crumb, cum, dumb, from, glum, gum, hum, lum, mum, numb, plum, plumb, rum, scrum, scum, slum, some, strum, sum, them, thrum, thumb

²drum

verb

drummeddrum·ming

Definition of DRUM

intransitive verb

1

: to make a succession of strokes or vibrations that produce sounds like drumbeats

2

: to beat a drum

3

: to throb or sound rhythmically

4

: to stir up interest : solicit

transitive verb

1

: to summon or enlist by or as if by beating a drum <were drummed into service>

2

: to dismiss ignominiously : expel —usually used with out

3

: to drive or force by steady effort or reiteration <drummed the speech into her head>

4

a : to strike or tap repeatedly

b : to produce (rhythmic sounds) by such action

Examples of DRUM

1. She drummed while he played the guitar.
2. Her fingers drummed nervously on the table.
3. He was nervously drumming a pencil on the desk.

First Known Use of DRUM

1583

Related to DRUM

Synonyms

beat, ¹tap, rap

Related Words

bang, bash, bat, bonk, bop, hammer, hit, knock, paste, pound, slam, smack, sock, strike, swat, thud, thump, thwack, wallop, whack; chink, clatter, clink, ping; pat, pit-a-pat, pitter-patter; chuck, clap, click, flick, tip

³drum

noun

Definition of DRUM

1

chiefly Scottish : a long narrow hill or ridge

2

: drumlin

Origin of DRUM

Scottish Gaelic druim back, ridge, from Old Irish druimm

First Known Use: 1725

drum

noun \ˈdrəm\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of DRUM

: tympanic membrane