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)
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 asa (1) : any of the cylindrical blocks that form the shaft of a column (2) : a round wall or structure that supports a domeb : a cylindrical machine or mechanical device or partc : a cylindrical container; specifically : a large usually metal container for liquids a 55-gallon drumd : a disk-shaped magazine for an automatic weapon
From the M-W Editors
Illustration of drum
Origin and Etymology of drum
probably from Dutch trom; akin to Middle High German trumme drum
drum
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
4a : to strike or tap repeatedlyb : to produce (rhythmic sounds) by such action
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
Origin and Etymology of drum
Scottish Gaelic druim back, ridge, from Old Irish druimm
DRUM Defined for English Language Learners
drum
Definition of drum for English Language Learners
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: to beat or play a drum or set of drums
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: to make a sound by hitting a surface over and over again
DRUM Defined for Kids
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
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\ noundrum 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
Learn More about drum
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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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