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1

drum

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 (such 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: such 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
—

drumlike

play \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Illustration of drum

illustration of drum

Origin and Etymology of drum

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

2

drum

verb

Definition of drum

drummed; drumming
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

See drum defined for English-language learners

Examples of drum in a Sentence

  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

1582

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

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drum Synonyms

Synonyms

beat, rap, tap;

Related Words

bang, bash, bat, bonk, bop, hammer, hit, knock, paste, pound, slam, smack, sock, strike, swat, thud, thump, thwack, wallop, whack;

pat, pit-a-pat, pitter-patter;

3

drum

noun

Definition of drum

1 chiefly Scotland : a long narrow hill or ridge
2 : drumlin

Origin and Etymology of drum

Scottish Gaelic druim back, ridge, from Old Irish druimm

Phrases Related to DRUM

Related Phrases

DRUM Defined for English Language Learners

drum

verb

Definition of drum for English Language Learners

  • : to beat or play a drum or set of drums

  • : to make a sound by hitting a surface over and over again

DRUM Defined for Kids

1

drum

noun \ ˈdrəm \

Definition of drum for Students

1 : a musical instrument usually consisting of a metal or wooden round frame with flat ends covered by tightly stretched skin
2 : a tapping sound : a sound of or like a drum
  • the drum of raindrops
3 : an object shaped like a cylinder
  • an oil drum
2

drum

verb

Definition of drum for Students

drummed; drumming
1 : to beat or play a drum
2 : to make a tapping sound : make a sound like a drum
  • The rain drummed on the roof.
3 : to beat or tap in a rhythmic way
  • She drummed her fingers.
—

drummer

\ˈdrə-mər\ noun
— drum into
: to force (something) to be learned by repeating it over and over
  • She drummed the lesson into our heads.
— drum out of
: to force to leave (a place or organization)
  • They drummed him out of the club.
— drum up
: to gather or create by hard work
  • We need to drum up new business.

Medical Dictionary

drum

noun \ ˈdrəm \

medical Definition of drum

: tympanic membrane

Learn More about drum

  1. See words that rhyme with drum Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for drum Spanish Central: Translation of drum Nglish: Translation of drum for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of drum for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about drum

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