beatbox
beatbox Lexical Profile
beatbox Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A vocal percussion technique that involves imitating drums, cymbals, turntables, and other musical instruments using the mouth, lips, tongue, and voice.
"The performer captivated the audience with a complex beatbox routine that sounded just like a full drum kit."
An electronic drum machine or rhythm generator, especially an early portable model used in hip-hop production.
"He programmed the classic Roland beatbox to provide the backing track for his rap."
• verb
To imitate the sounds of percussion instruments, drum machines, or turntables using the voice and mouth.
"She learned how to beatbox by listening to old hip-hop records and practicing the percussive sounds in front of a mirror."
• Rhymes for beatbox
Word Origin & Etymology
Emerged in the 1980s hip-hop scene. Originally a slang term for an electronic drum machine (a 'beat box'). The term was later applied to performers who vocally mimicked these devices, initially referred to as 'human beatboxes'.