: 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)
Noun (1)
an oil drumVerb
She drummed while he played the guitar.
Her fingers drummed nervously on the table.
He was nervously drumming a pencil on the desk.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Those production chops help explain the track’s slick, glossy pop sheen, anchored by tactile drum sounds and a prominent bassline.—Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 Other shoppers perused a display of traditional sake casks or purchased T-shirts celebrating neighborhood artisans—paper-makers; a bakery specializing in melonpan, a crispy sweet bun—as drum-and-flute music from Asakusa’s annual festival played over the sound system.—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
The family photos joined other shots of Travis drumming and stopping for photos with his band, doing a bit of a sprint and meeting up with friends.—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025 Known as the Bajen, the club’s supporters are encouraged to create an intimidating atmosphere at games with non-stop singing, drumming and chanting.—Asif Burhan, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drum
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
probably from Dutch trom; akin to Middle High German trumme drum
Noun (2)
Scottish Gaelic druim back, ridge, from Old Irish druimm
: a musical percussion instrument consisting of a hollow cylinder with a thin layer of material (as animal skin or plastic) stretched over one or both ends that is beaten with a stick or with the hands
2
: the sound of a drum
also: a similar sound
3
: a drum-shaped object: as
a
: a cylindrical mechanical device or part
b
: a cylindrical container
oil drums
c
: a disk-shaped ammunition container that may be attached to a firearm
Share