rataplan

noun

rat·a·plan ˈra-tə-ˌplan

: the iterative sound of beating

… a rolling rataplan of drums …—

Time

Word History

Etymology

French, of imitative origin

First Known Use

circa 1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of rataplan was circa 1848

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

Ratana Church

rataplan

rat-arsed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rataplan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rataplan. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 4 Nov 2025 - Definition revised

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

bravado

Listen to the pronunciation of bravado

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Buck Naked' or 'Butt Naked'?

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Popular in Wordplay

More Words with Remarkable Origins

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

'Buck Naked' or 'Butt Naked'?

More Words with Remarkable Origins

17 Words for Dog Breeds