Illustration of drum
- 1 bass
- 2 snare (orchestra)
- 3 snare (parade)
1
: a percussion instrument consisting of a hollow shell or cylinder with a drumhead stretched over one or both ends that is beaten with the hands or with some implement (such as a stick or wire brush)
3
: the sound of a drum
also
: a sound similar to that of a drum
4
: any of various chiefly marine bony fishes (family Sciaenidae) that make a drumming or croaking noise using their air bladder and associated muscles
5
: something resembling a drum in shape: such as
a(1)
: any of the cylindrical blocks that form the shaft of a column
(2)
: a round wall or structure that supports a dome
b
: a cylindrical machine or mechanical device or part
c
: a cylindrical container
specifically
: a large usually metal container for liquids
a 55-gallon drum
d
: a disk-shaped magazine for an automatic weapon
drummed; drumming
1
: to make a succession of strokes or vibrations that produce sounds like drumbeats
2
: to beat a drum
3
: to throb or sound rhythmically
4
: to stir up interest : solicit
1
: to summon or enlist by or as if by beating a drum
were drummed into service
2
: to dismiss ignominiously : expel
—usually used with out
3
: to drive or force by steady effort or reiteration
drummed the speech into her head
4
a
: to strike or tap repeatedly
b
: to produce (rhythmic sounds) by such action
Word Icons
Examples of drum in a Sentence
Noun (1)
an oil drum
Verb
She drummed while he played the guitar.
Her fingers drummed nervously on the table.
He was nervously drumming a pencil on the desk.
Recent Examples on the Web
Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
On April 12, 1962, Black men, women, and children packed into Philadelphia’s Times Auditorium and milled about to the low, rhythmic beating of African drums until the lights dimmed and Moore took the stage.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Led by cultural artist and storyteller Lillian Grant Baptiste, this community gathering features storytelling, drumming, dance, a libation ritual, candle lighting, and a closing affirmation of unity.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drum
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Noun
DeJohnette pivoted to the drums after a friend left a drum kit in his family’s basement.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
On April 12, 1962, Black men, women, and children packed into Philadelphia’s Times Auditorium and milled about to the low, rhythmic beating of African drums until the lights dimmed and Moore took the stage.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
The video cuts to Camila, who reads the report outloud as Matthew drums on the bongo and offers his commentary on the report.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Led by cultural artist and storyteller Lillian Grant Baptiste, this community gathering features storytelling, drumming, dance, a libation ritual, candle lighting, and a closing affirmation of unity.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drum
Cite this Entry
“Drum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drum. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
drum
1 of 2 noun1
: a musical percussion instrument consisting of a hollow cylinder with a thin layer of material (as animal skin or plastic) stretched over one or both ends that is beaten with a stick or with the hands
2
: the sound of a drum
also
: a similar sound
3
: a drum-shaped object: as
a
: a cylindrical mechanical device or part
b
: a cylindrical container
oil drums
c
: a disk-shaped ammunition container that may be attached to a firearm
drum
2 of 2 verb
drummed; drumming
1
: to beat or play on or as if on a drum
3
: to call or gather together by or as if by beating a drum
drum up business
4
: to dismiss in shame : expel
drummed out of the army
5
: to drive or force by steady effort or repetition
drummed the lesson into their heads
6
: to strike or tap repeatedly so as to produce rhythmic sounds
drummed the table with his fingers
Medical Definition
drum
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