SINCE 1828

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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

Origin and Etymology of drum

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1534

See Words from the same year

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

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

First Known Use of drum

1582

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1732

See Words from the same year

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

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up drum? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

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play

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druid stone

Drukpa

drum

drum armature

drumbeat

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Examples: drum in a Sentence