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

The live arrangement replaces the quiet with an overload of bass and percussion. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026

One of the strengths of this bite-sized album—just 10 tracks that, taken together, clock in at under 23 minutes—is its tinkly, unified sound, built on piano, some strings, and percussion. — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2026

In a banner year for eveninglong percussion works, Schick returns to the Veterans Room for the world premiere of a Sorey work commissioned by the Armory. — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Calvin Harris begins with a relatively simple electronic framework before synths and percussion steadily expand toward an enormous release. — Brittney Williams, Billboard, 25 Aug. 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