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drumbeat

drumbeat

4 1.6
A repeated sound made by hitting a drum
  • noun
  • /ˈdrʌmˌbiːt/
translation icon : golpe de tambor
  • The fire was low, the singers' voices hoarse over the drumbeat.
  • a steady drumbeat
  • strong drumbeats

Examples

  • A diagonal streak of lightning ripped across the sky, followed almost immediately by drumbeats of thunder that rattled the windows.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • The band played a lively tune accompanied by a steady drumbeat that got everyone dancing.

  • Suddenly, there was a roaring drumbeat of thunder from over her head.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Having heard a steady drumbeat for several days, I inquired after its purpose.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Her heart was pounding like a ceremonial drumbeat, and she feared she might be sick to her stomach.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The drumbeat has a distinctive long-short-short pattern in triple meter; this drumbeat is also used for a variety of other specialty dances.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The music soared on fiddle strings and thundered in drumbeats in her head.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • When the nkuyu hears songs pleasing to him and the drumbeats resounding, he comes closer, cautiously.

    Academic text (1995)
  • As the parade began, the sound of the drumbeat signaled the start of the festivities.

  • The instructor clapped his hands to establish a steady drumbeat for the students to follow while singing.

Synonyms

rhythm
vsdrumbeat
301 3.3

A regular pattern of sounds and movements, often in music or dance

denotes a specific percussive sound or act rather than an abstract pattern
bomp
vsdrumbeat
3 8.4

A soft thumping sound often heard in music or play

is a standard repeated rhythmic sound or act without playful character
drumming
vsdrumbeat
2 1.8

Playing drums to make music

is the sound or single act rather than the ongoing musical activity
steady drumbeat
vsdrumbeat
1 3.4

A regular rhythm from drums that marks time and creates a mood

is broader, meaning any repeated striking sound or act, not only continuous rhythm
drumline
vsdrumbeat
3.7

A repeated pattern of drum beats that keeps the rhythm in a song

is any repeated striking sound or act not tied to an ensemble sequence
drum-beating
vsdrumbeat
3.9

Playing a drum loudly to attract attention or show support

is a general rhythmic sound or act, not specifically used to rally people
pulse of the music
vsdrumbeat
3.1

A steady beat in music you can feel in your body or emotions

is the audible single sound or act, not the broader driving heartbeat
pulsebeat
vsdrumbeat
  • Specialized
5.1

A regular electronic signal that controls timing in machines

is an organic musical sound or act, not a technical timing signal
rataplan
vsdrumbeat
  • Archaic
9.9

A quick repeated sound made by hitting a drum

is any repeated rhythmic sound but not necessarily rapid or energetic
rub-a-dub
vsdrumbeat
9.9

A steady repeating drum sound you hear at parades

is a neutral musical sound rather than a playful imitative noise

Compounds

A regular rhythm from drums that marks time and creates a mood

A growing feeling of excitement shared by people as an event nears

How Loud

pounding
72 2.9
thump
49 3.0
drumbeat
4 1.6
beat
299 1.0
tap
66 1.0

Surface Forms

drumbeat singular
drumbeats plural

Morphology

drumbeat = drum + beat (transparent) = drum + beat

The compound is a direct combination of 'drum' and 'beat' with the literal meaning of the sound made by striking a drum, which is directly inferable.

Etymology

Drumbeat is made from drum and beat, where drum is the instrument that makes a loud sound and beat means 'a hit' or 'a steady rhythm'. So a drumbeat is the repeated sound you hear when someone hits a drum, used in music or as a signal.