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Definition of kettledrum

kettledrum

/ˈkɛt.əlˌdrʌm/
ket · tle · drum
Plural:kettledrums
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kettledrum Lexical Profile

kettledrum Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A large percussion instrument consisting of a hollow brass or copper bowl with a parchment or plastic head stretched over the top, typically tunable to specific pitches.

Example

"The symphony's final movement concluded with a dramatic, thundering roll on the kettledrum."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for kettledrum

• Nearby Words

ketogenic
kettle
kettlebell
kettledrum
kettleful
key
keyboard

Word Origin & Etymology

A compound of 'kettle' and 'drum', coined in the mid-16th century due to the instrument's resemblance to a large metal boiling pot.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Kettledrum. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 2, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/kettledrum
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