drum
1a musical percussion instrument consisting of a hollow, usually cylindrical, body covered at one or both ends with a tightly stretched membrane, or head, which is struck with the hand, a stick, or a pair of sticks, and typically produces a booming, tapping, or hollow sound.
any hollow tree or similar object or device used in this way.
the sound produced by such an instrument, object, or device.
any rumbling or deep booming sound.
a natural organ by which an animal produces a loud or bass sound.
any cylindrical object with flat ends.
a cylindrical part of a machine.
a cylindrical box or receptacle, especially a large, metal one for storing or transporting liquids.
Also called tambour .Architecture.
any of several cylindrical or nearly cylindrical stones laid one above the other to form a column or pier.
a cylindrical or faceted construction supporting a dome.
Ichthyology. any of several marine and freshwater fishes of the family Sciaenidae that produce a drumming sound.
Also called drum memory .Computers. magnetic drum.
Archaic. an assembly of fashionable people at a private house in the evening.
a person who plays the drum.
Australian Informal. reliable, confidential, or profitable information: to give someone the drum.
to beat or play a drum.
to beat on anything rhythmically, especially to tap one's fingers rhythmically on a hard surface.
to make a sound like that of a drum; resound.
(of ruffed grouse and other birds) to produce a sound resembling drumming.
to beat (a drum) rhythmically; perform by beating a drum: to drum a rhythm for dancers.
to call or summon by, or as if by, beating a drum.
to drive or force by persistent repetition: to drum an idea into someone.
to fill a drum with; store in a drum: to drum contaminated water and dispose of it.
drum out,
(formerly) to expel or dismiss from a military service in disgrace to the beat of a drum.
to dismiss in disgrace: He was drummed out of the university for his gambling activities.
drum up,
to call or summon by, or as if by, beating a drum.
to obtain or create (customers, trade, interest, etc.) through vigorous effort: They were unable to drum up enthusiasm for the new policies.
Idioms about drum
beat the drum, to promote, publicize, or advertise: The boss is out beating the drum for a new product.
Origin of drum
1Other words from drum
- un·der·drum·ming, noun
Other definitions for drum (2 of 2)
a long, narrow hill or ridge.
Origin of drum
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for drum (1 of 2)
/ (drʌm) /
music a percussion instrument sounded by striking a membrane stretched across the opening of a hollow cylinder or hemisphere
beat the drum for informal to attempt to arouse interest in
the sound produced by a drum or any similar sound
an object that resembles a drum in shape, such as a large spool or a cylindrical container
architect
one of a number of cylindrical blocks of stone used to construct the shaft of a column
the wall or structure supporting a dome or cupola
short for eardrum
Also called: drumfish any of various North American marine and freshwater sciaenid fishes, such as Equetus pulcher (striped drum), that utter a drumming sound
a type of hollow rotor for steam turbines or axial compressors
computing a rotating cylindrical device on which data may be stored for later retrieval: now mostly superseded by disks: See disk (def. 2)
archaic a drummer
the drum Australian informal the necessary information (esp in the phrase give (someone) the drum)
to play (music) on or as if on a drum
to beat or tap (the fingers) rhythmically or regularly
(intr) (of birds) to produce a rhythmic sound, as by beating the bill against a tree, branch, etc
(tr sometimes foll by up) to summon or call by drumming
(tr) to instil by constant repetition: to drum an idea into someone's head
Origin of drum
1British Dictionary definitions for drum (2 of 2)
/ (drʌm) /
Scot and Irish a narrow ridge or hill
Origin of drum
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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