Drum
English Meaning
An instrument of percussion, consisting either of a hollow cylinder, over each end of which is stretched a piece of skin or vellum, to be beaten with a stick; or of a metallic hemisphere (kettledrum) with a single piece of skin to be so beaten; the common instrument for marking time in martial music; one of the pair of tympani in an orchestra, or cavalry band.
- A percussion instrument consisting of a hollow cylinder or hemisphere with a membrane stretched tightly over one or both ends, played by beating with the hands or sticks.
- A sound produced by this instrument.
- Something resembling a drum in shape or structure, especially a barrellike metal container or a metal cylinder wound with cable, wire, or heavy rope.
- Architecture A circular or polygonal wall supporting a dome or cupola. Also called tambour.
- Architecture Any of the cylindrical stone blocks that are stacked to form the shaft of a column.
- Any of various marine and freshwater fishes of the family Sciaenidae that make a drumming sound.
- Anatomy The eardrum.
- To play a drum or drums.
- To thump or tap rhythmically or continually: nervously drummed on the table.
- To produce a booming, reverberating sound by beating the wings, as certain birds do.
- To perform (a piece or tune) on or as if on a drum.
- To summon by or as if by beating a drum.
- To make known to or force upon (a person) by constant repetition: drummed the answers into my head.
- To expel or dismiss in disgrace. Often used with out: was drummed out of the army.
- drum up To bring about by continuous, persistent effort: drum up new business.
- drum up To devise; invent: drummed up an alibi.
