drum
drum Lexical Profile
drum Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A percussion musical instrument consisting of a hollow shell or cylinder with a membrane stretched tightly across one or both ends, played by striking with the hands, sticks, or mallets.
"The percussionist kept a steady, energetic beat on the snare drum throughout the jazz performance."
A large cylindrical container used for storing or transporting liquids or bulk materials, or a rotating cylindrical mechanical part inside a machine such as a washing machine or printer.
"The warehouse workers carefully loaded the heavy steel drums of olive oil onto the delivery truck."
A rhythmic, repetitive beating or tapping sound resembling that of a percussion instrument.
"We listened to the soothing drum of the autumn rain against the cabin roof."
The eardrum, or tympanic membrane, which vibrates in response to sound waves within the ear.
"The sudden change in cabin pressure caused a brief ache in the drum of his left ear."
Any of various marine or freshwater perciform fishes of the family Sciaenidae, native to coastal and estuarine waters worldwide and noted for producing a deep drumming or croaking sound by vibrating special muscles against their swim bladder.
"Anglers fishing along the Gulf Coast frequently catch red drum in the shallow coastal marshes."
• verb
To play a drum or beat out a rhythm on a percussion instrument.
"She learned to drum at an early age and joined the school orchestra in sixth grade."
To tap, strike, or thump a surface repeatedly and rhythmically, such as with one's fingers or feet.
"He began to drum his fingers impatiently on the desk while waiting for the computer to reboot."
To instill or drive a lesson, idea, or habit into someone's mind through constant repetition (usually followed by 'into').
"Our chemistry teacher worked hard to drum laboratory safety rules into every student from the very first day."
• Rhymes for drum
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the mid-16th century, shortened from the earlier form 'drumbel', borrowed from Middle Low German 'trummel', which is ultimately imitative of the deep, resonant sound of the instrument.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.