steel drum

noun

|Updated on: 11 Jul 2018

Definition of steel drum

: a musical instrument originally developed in Trinidad that is played by hammering raised and tuned portions of the bottom of an oil drum

See steel drum defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of steel drum from the Web

These traditions are still alive today, evident in elaborate headdresses and costumes, chanting, and the pulsing rhythms of steel drums.

— kristin braswell, Vogue, "The Caribbean Carnivals You Don’t Want to Miss This Summer," 24 June 2018
The series kicks off with a Caribbean-themed event from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27, including tours of the Great House, rum drinks, and steel drum music.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Be a Red Sox for a day, attend a tea ceremony, dance like it’s 1776," 22 June 2018
From steel drums to stilt walkers, Trinidad and Tobago provides lively entertainment for the whole family and brings the festive music of the Caribbean to the heart of Harford County.

— aegis staff, The Aegis, "Ladew Gardens sets its 2018 summer concerts," 29 May 2018
The students played various type of steel drums with various other type of percussion instruments and played several songs as the festival closed Saturday evening.

— kirk sides, Houston Chronicle, "Video: Watch Park View Intermediate Steel Drum Band perform at San Jacinto Festival," 26 Apr. 2018
Too many times their fathers had come home after carrying steel drums of leaking trash and maggots on their heads.

— kirsten west savali, The Root, "Watch: Children of the Memphis Sanitation Strike Share Their Stories," 8 Mar. 2018
A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation into the steel drum and plastic tote refurbishing industry revealed dangers to plant workers and nearby residents and sparked action from federal, state and local regulators.

— john diedrich, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Barrel refurbishing investigation into Wisconsin plants reveals risks, leads to action," 11 Jan. 2018
Cornell’s steel drum program and its bands have toured extensively throughout the U.S. and internationally.

— Pomerado News, "Local students earn college honors and degrees," 15 Feb. 2018
Every year around this time, the rhythm of steel drums rises in Central Brooklyn, signaling the approach of Caribbean Carnival, as seamstresses put the final touches on elaborate costumes adorned with feathers and rhinestones.

— ashley southall, New York Times, "As Excitement Builds for J’ouvert, So Do Hopes for Peace," 31 Aug. 2017

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