Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

drum

noun (1)
\ ˈdrəm How to pronounce drum (audio) \

Definition of drum

 (Entry 1 of 3)

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

drum

verb
drummed; drumming

Definition of drum (Entry 2 of 3)

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
4a : to strike or tap repeatedly
b : to produce (rhythmic sounds) by such action

drum

noun (2)

Definition of drum (Entry 3 of 3)

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

Illustration of drum

Illustration of drum

Noun (1)

1drum 1: 1 bass, 2 snare (orchestra), 3 snare (parade)

In the meaning defined above

Other Words from drum Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about drum

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from drum

Noun (1)

drumlike \ -​ˌlīk How to pronounce drumlike (audio) \ adjective

Synonyms for drum

Synonyms: Verb

beat, rap, tap

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Examples of drum in a Sentence

Verb

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

First Known Use of drum

Noun (1)

circa 1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for drum

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

Scottish Gaelic druim back, ridge, from Old Irish druimm

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about drum

Statistics for drum

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for drum

The first known use of drum was circa 1534

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for drum

drum

verb

English Language Learners Definition of drum

: to beat or play a drum or set of drums
: to make a sound by hitting a surface over and over again

See the full definition for drum in the English Language Learners Dictionary

drum

noun
\ ˈdrəm How to pronounce drum (audio) \

Kids Definition of drum

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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

drum

verb
drummed; drumming

Kids Definition of drum (Entry 2 of 2)

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.
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.

Other Words from drum

drummer \ ˈdrə-​mər \ noun

drum

noun
\ ˈdrəm How to pronounce drum (audio) \

Medical Definition of drum

: tympanic membrane

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on drum

Rhyming Dictionary: 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

Comments on drum

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

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

resurrection

Listen to the pronounciation of resurrection

an act or instance of returning to life

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Latin Quiz

  • roman forum
  • Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
TRENDING NOW

  1. surveillance Comey comments on Barr's use of 'spy'

  2. cavalier Virginia wins men's championship

  3. redact, redacted Barr discusses release of report

SEE ALL
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games