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

No, not grungy, but just bass-heavy and 808, and drums and just mad, hard percussions. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025

They are joined by Danny Johnston (lead guitar), Dennis Sandoval (bass), Carlos Rengifo (percussion), Genderson Pineda (drums) and Junior Soto (second vocalist). —Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 21 Apr. 2025

Blue Man Group is known for speechless productions featuring percussion, paints and humor by three blue-skinned, bald performers. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025

Kirill earned his master’s and doctorate in piano at the University of Southern California, and has been on the piano faculty at USC and Pepperdine University. Sophia, who began playing concerts with her parents at age 5, plays guitar, ukulele, flute and percussion. —Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025

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