percussion

noun

per·​cus·​sion pər-ˈkə-shən 

1

: the act of percussing: such as

a

: the striking of a percussion cap so as to set off the charge in a firearm

b

: the beating or striking of a musical instrument

c

: the act or technique of tapping the surface of a body part to learn the condition of the parts beneath by the resultant sound

2

: the striking of sound on the ear

3

: percussion instruments that form a section of a band or orchestra

percussion adjective

Examples of percussion in a Sentence

He plays percussion for the band.

The marimba is a percussion instrument.

Recent Examples on the Web

That excellent bass response is coupled with a wide soundstage that lets the vocals and lead instruments cut through the mix, while delivering detailed percussion with crisp definition. — Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026

The shoulder bones made interesting clapping percussion, and the bigger ones suited deeper beating percussion. — Ben Croll, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Timberlake famously performed the vocal percussion while on NSYNC’s No String Attached tour in 2000 in a moment that has since gone viral. — Mariel Turner, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

Corn became flutes, jalapeños became trumpets, peppers and an avocado pit became a horn, lettuce handled percussion and an onion was drafted to play bass. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French percussioun, from Latin percussion-, percussio, from percutere to beat, from per- thoroughly + quatere to shake

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing percussion

• on percussion
• percussion cap
• percussion instrument
• percussion section

Rhymes for percussion

• concussion
• discussion
• belorussian
• repercussion
• byelorussian
• russian

Kids Definition

percussion

noun

per·​cus·​sion pər-ˈkəsh-ən 

1

: the act of tapping sharply

especially : the striking of a percussion cap so as to set off the charge in a firearm

2

: the striking of sound sharply on the ear

Medical Definition

percussion

noun

per·​cus·​sion pər-ˈkəsh-ən 

1

: the act or technique of tapping the surface of a body part to learn the condition of the parts beneath by the resulting sound

2

: massage consisting of the striking of a body part with light rapid blows

called also tapotement