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drum

drum

300 1.0
A hollow cylinder with a tight skin that you hit to make a beat
  • noun
  • /drʌm/
: tambor
  • I have found that five-gallon pickle buckets make excellent drums that are virtually indestructible.
  • play drums
  • drum set
  • bass drum

I know that the drums are going to be on top.

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Examples

  • Now on the drums, we got my man kudzu.

  • I noticed they're setting up your drum kit over there.

  • Santa was supposed to bring me a drum set.

  • We actually have a drum kit in our back bedroom.

  • My people talk to each other through the drums and tell stories over campfires.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Mitchell took advantage of the accessible drums and practiced on the left-behind drum set whenever possible.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Performed alone, the frightened heartbeat on the bass drum makes a distinct musical impression on the listener.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The drummer played a lively beat on the drum at the concert.

  • During the parade, the marching band showcased their new drum that sparkled in the sunlight.

  • He learned to play the drum by taking lessons every Saturday.

Synonyms

tambourine
vsdrum
24 3.4

A small hand drum with metal jingles that you shake or hit

is the hollow cylinder instrument without the frame jingles and handheld design
bongo
vsdrum
19 3.5

A small hand drum usually played in pairs in Latin American music

is the single hollow cylinder instrument rather than a paired small set
snare
vsdrum
9 4.8

A small drum with wires stretched across the bottom that make a sharp sound

is the full hollow cylinder instrument rather than only the buzzing wires
conga
vsdrum
7 4.4

A tall narrow drum played with the hands in Latin American music

is the broad hollow cylinder instrument not limited to that regional form
bass drum
vsdrum
  • Specialized
6 3.0

A large deep drum that makes a low beat for bands and orchestras

is the standard hollow cylinder instrument, not necessarily large or low pitched
snare drum
vsdrum
5 3.5

A small drum with metal wires across one side that makes a sharp sound

is the basic hollow cylinder instrument without the added crisping wires
tom-tom
vsdrum
4 8.1

A round drum played in drum kits or at ceremonies

is the general hollow cylinder instrument that may include various additional features
timpani
vsdrum
3 7.9

Large round drums used in an orchestra that you can tune to different notes

is the single generic hollow cylinder instrument rather than a tuned orchestral set
3 3.3

A thing you hit, shake, or scrape to make sound in music

is one specific struck instrument within that broader group
bongo drum
vsdrum
2 3.2

Two small drums of different sizes joined together and played with the hands

is the standalone hollow cylinder instrument not presented as a joined pair
taiko
vsdrum
1 8.8

A large Japanese drum played with sticks that makes a deep sound

is the general hollow cylinder instrument not tied to a specific culture or technique
kettledrum
vsdrum
1 6.0

A large round drum in an orchestra you tune to play a clear note

is the common cylindrical instrument that usually has indefinite pitch
tympany
vsdrum
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A drum-like instrument played to make rhythm

is the modern general name for the hollow cylinder instrument with stretched membrane
tenor drum
vsdrum
1 4.8

A large drum with a small top that makes a sound between high and low

is the general hollow cylinder instrument without that specific size and tone focus
side drum
vsdrum
  • UK
1 3.5

A small musical instrument with two tight skins and wires under one skin used in bands and orchestras

is the general hollow cylinder instrument used in many musical settings
tympan
vsdrum
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A hollow drum with a tight skin over both ends that you play by hitting

is the common hollow cylinder instrument with a stretched membrane played by hands or sticks
membranophone
vsdrum
  • Specialized
9.9

A musical instrument like a drum that makes sound when you hit a stretched skin

is a single, specific instrument within that membrane vibrating family

Idioms

To speak or act strongly to support a cause

Compounds

15 3.1

A quick, continuous beat on a drum that builds suspense before an important moment

bass drum
  • Specialized
6 3.0

A large deep drum that makes a low beat for bands and orchestras

5 3.5

A small drum with metal wires across one side that makes a sharp sound

5 5.0

A leader who directs a marching band and leads it in parades

3 3.9

A Caribbean musical instrument made from an oil barrel that you hit to make different notes

2 3.2

Two small drums of different sizes joined together and played with the hands

A person who leads a marching band by twirling a baton and dancing

1 7.0

A large fish people eat and catch for sport along the United States Atlantic coast

drum brake
  • Specialized
1 4.8

A device that stops a vehicle wheel by pressing curved metal pieces inside a round drum

1 3.2

A large round metal container that holds liquids and dry goods for storage and transport

brake drum
  • Specialized
1 4.5

A hollow round metal part on a wheel that brake shoes push against to stop the vehicle

drum sander
  • Specialized
1 6.0

A power tool that sands wood with a spinning drum wrapped in sandpaper

1 3.9

Playing a drum loudly to attract attention or show support

A set of pads and electronics you play like drums to make different drum sounds

drum memory
  • Archaic
1 9.9

An early computer storage device using a rotating metal cylinder covered with magnetic material to hold data

1 4.8

A large drum with a small top that makes a sound between high and low

1 3.5

A small musical instrument with two tight skins and wires under one skin used in bands and orchestras

magnetic drum
  • Archaic
1 7.4

A round metal object covered with magnetic material that stores computer data, especially in early computers

drum printer
  • Archaic
1 6.6

A fast machine that makes whole lines of letters and numbers using a rotating drum

1 7.3

A fish with lines across its body that lives near the shore

drum monitor
  • Specialized
5.6

A stage speaker that helps a drummer hear themselves and the band

A set of drum pads and an electronic sound unit played like a drum kit

How Loud

bass drum
  • Specialized
6 3.0
timpani
3 7.9
snare drum
5 3.5
drum
300 1.0
tom-tom
4 8.1
bongo
19 3.5

Surface Forms

drum singular
drums plural

Etymology

Drum (musical instrument) is the original sense: it names a hollow object you hit to make a beat, so thinking of a round, empty shell that makes sound helps explain why we use the same word for the instrument and its noise.