: 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
Bang the drum slowly: Matt Cameron is leaving Pearl Jam after 27 years.—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025 An ensemble of Army soldiers fired up the fife and drums on board the USS Constitution on Monday to provide a patriotic flair to the summer heat.—Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 7 July 2025
Verb
Sellers also drummed in productions for La Jolla Playhouse and San Diego Ballet.—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025 In that band, Yates and McCrory contributed guitar while Fang drummed.—Lawrence Burney, Pitchfork, 28 May 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