tom

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈtäm 

1

: the male of various animals: such as

a

: tomcat

b

: a male turkey

2

Tom disparaging : uncle tom

tom

2 of 3

less common variant of tom-tom

tom-tom

3 of 3

noun

ˈtäm-ˌtäm  ˈtəm-ˌtəm 

1

: a usually long and narrow small-headed drum commonly beaten with the hands

2

old-fashioned : tam-tam sense 2

3

a

: something used to make a noise suggestive of the tom-tom's beating

b

: a monotonous beating, rhythm, or rhythmical sound

4

or less commonly tom : a cylindrical two-headed drum of varying size often used in pairs in drum sets

Illustration of tom-tom

• tom-tom 1

Examples of tom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Osceola experts say these toms start gobbling in January and peak in March. — Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026

And their childhood friend Wesley Backer is on traps, banging on a 55-gallon rain barrel for a bass drum, buckets for the snare and toms, and sheet metal for cymbals. — Jessica Meszaros, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026

Noun

Nilles proved herself both fierce and precise behind the kit, unpacking every nuance of Peart’s playing, from her fluid waves of tom-tom fills to her snappy hi-hat work. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 June 2026

Justin Herbert, more banged up than a Buddy Rich tom-tom, wisely was held out, as were others. — Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Tom, nickname for Thomas

Noun

Hindi & Urdu ṭamṭam

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1693, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tom

• tom-tom

Rhymes for tom

• balm
• bom
• bomb
• calm
• dom
• halm
• hom
• malm
• mam
• mom
• palm
• pom

Kids Definition

tom

noun

ˈtäm 

: the male of various animals: as

a

: tom cat

b

: a male turkey