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
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Illustration of drum
Origin and Etymology of drum
probably from Dutch trom; akin to Middle High German trumme drum
First Known Use: circa 1534
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.
1582
First Known Use of drum
1582
Origin and Etymology of drum
Scottish Gaelic druim back, ridge, from Old Irish druimm
First Known Use: 1732
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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