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🥁 A musical instrument 👆 To tap repeatedly 🛢️ A large container 🐟 A type of fish 🥁 To play music 🚗 A wheel part
to drum

to drum

3 1.0
To play a hollow instrument by hitting it to make a steady beat
  • verb
  • /drʌm/
: tocar la batería
  • I want to drum in a band.
  • drum and sing

Examples

  • The drummers began to drum and the Possum began to sing, "See my beautiful tail!" Everyone shouted.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Students can also move, beat, clap, or drum the syncopation or bass parts of the music.

    Academic text (2008)

  • We need you to drum again.

    The Muppets (2011)

  • In our group, the teacher would drum and the students would echo you back.

    Academic text (2013)

  • In various places, protesters sing, dance, drum, or simply sit in the street.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The elders recognized that the boys were learning to drum and the girls were learning to dance.

    Academic text (2016)

  • Why couldn't students put down their Western instruments once in a while to drum, clap, sing, and move?

    Academic text (2000)

  • Why, that's the same riff I used when I was drumming for Cab Calloway.

    The Brave Little Toaster (1987)

  • Ed watches her appreciatively, drumming silently on a rubber pad.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • She loves to drum along with her favorite songs in the band.

Synonyms

to play
vsto drum
∞ 1.0

Perform music on an instrument

focuses on using percussion instruments specifically rather than any instrument

Idioms

to beat the drum
6 5.5

To speak or act strongly to support a cause

Phrasal Verbs

to drum up
29 4.1

To try to get more interest or support by telling people about something

to drum out
10 7.4

Make someone leave a group or job in a public, shameful way

to beat the drum for
2 6.3

Speak strongly in public to support a person, idea, or cause

to drum up funds
1 4.4

To try to get money by asking people or holding events

Compounds

drum roll
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

snare drum
5 3.5

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

drum major
5 5.0

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

steel drum
3 3.9

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

bongo drum
2 3.2

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

drum majorette
1 7.8

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

red drum
  • US
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

metal 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

drum-beating
1 3.9

Playing a drum loudly to attract attention or show support

electronic drum kit
1 4.1

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

tenor drum
1 4.8

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

side drum
  • UK
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

striped 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

electronic drum set
3.5

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

How Loud

to pound
231 1.3
to drum
3 1.0
to beat
  • NSFW
∞ 1.2
to play
∞ 1.0
to tap
98 1.0

Surface Forms

drum infinitive
drummed past
drummed past participle
drumming present participle
drums third person singular

Etymology

Drum (play drums) simply comes from the noun for the instrument, so to 'drum' means to play a drum and make rhythm by striking its surface.