: 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
After years of doing educational drum clinics at music stores and colleges, Schulman realized that music helps people remember stories and lessons.—Heather Wishart-Smith, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 Complimentary activities range from morning stretching with a sea breeze to late-afternoon volleyball in the sand to learning about local culture through a Boduberu drum session.—Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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 For the first time, a woman — actress/musician Valerie Franco — takes the notably perilous gig of drumming for Spinal Tap.—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 26 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
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