Definition of kettledrum
: a percussion instrument that consists of a hollow brass, copper, or fiberglass hemisphere with a calfskin or plastic head whose tension can be changed to vary the pitch
Buying Guide
Our Reviews team has selected the best musical instruments for kids.
Test Your Vocabulary
Name That Food
-
- Name these cookies!

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share kettledrum
Time Traveler for kettledrum
The first known use of kettledrum was in 1602
See more words from the same year