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

Leland and Riordan’s reactive approach to the work of a beloved composer, embellished only with timbre and junk percussion, places a cornerstone of American popular and classical music within their weirdo experimental purview. —Aly Eleanor, Pitchfork, 19 Feb. 2026

The five-part, 25-minute symphonic poem for a large orchestra rife with percussion follows Humboldt’s account of his journey to Venezuela in 1799. —Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026

Part of the secret of the sauce was in mic-ing the percussion with overhead shotgun microphones, instead of close-up. —Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026

They will be joined by The E Street Horns (Barry Danielian, Eddie Manion, Ozzie Melendez, Curt Ramm), The E Street Choir (Lisa Lowell, Michelle Moore, Ada Dyer, Curtis King) and Anthony Almonte (percussion, vocals). —Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 17 Feb. 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
• kushan
• 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