: 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.
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Noun
The drums punch and plod like textbook EDM; indistinguishable synths twinkle.—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 17 July 2025 The Velvet Sundown’s melodies follow chord progressions, and their songs have rhythm sections that follow along with the bass and drums.—Charlie Harding, Vulture, 16 July 2025
Verb
After The Clash, Chimes drummed for bands like Generation X, Hanoi Rocks and Black Sabbath.—Daniela Avila, People.com, 17 June 2025 Whereas a movie like Isle of Dogs, there’s music all the time, but most of the music is just drumming and something very simple, there’s probably one, two or three themes.—Maelle Beauget-Uhl, Forbes.com, 12 June 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
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