snare drum

noun

: a small double-headed drum with one or more snares stretched across its lower head see drum illustration

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Hideg set up his snare drum in the company of pianist Cengiz Yaltkaya, alto saxophonist Jay Golden and guitarist Leo Vaz. Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2023 The latter’s defining crescendo sometimes got ahead of itself, swamping even the snare drum. Dallas News, 8 Jan. 2022 A lot of the backbeats are on the high-hat or really lightly on the snare drum. Randall Roberts, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2021 Filled with signature Motown elements – a romping snare drum, stacked background vocals on the hands-to-the-heavens chorus, sparkling organ – the 1965 hit for Frank Wilson is, simply, a blast. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2022 Swift utilizes a marching beat and rattling snare drum to convey this metaphoric study of the inherent battles in relationships. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 22 Oct. 2022 One person was wearing a Gumby costume and banging on a snare drum. Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 25 Oct. 2022 They were accompanied by double bassist Kevin Smith, harmonica great Mickey Raphael and drummer Billy English, who played on a lone snare drum. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2022 Most of this piece is painted, but one brother’s shirt is cut from patterned paper, and the contrast between the sumptuous painter’s touch and the flat clarity of the paper also feels musical, like a saxophone giving way to a snare drum. Cate Mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Oct. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'snare drum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of snare drum was circa 1859

Dictionary Entries Near snare drum

Cite this Entry

“Snare drum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snare%20drum. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

snare drum

noun
: a small two-headed drum that can be worn at the side while marching and that has a band of snares stretched across the lower head to rattle when the head vibrates to give the drum its special sound

More from Merriam-Webster on snare drum

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Which Came First?

  • baby chick with a brown egg
  • hot take or cold shoulder?
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY