drum
//ˈdɹʌm//
Forms
- Plural
- drums
- present (v1)
- drum
- past (v2)
- drummed
- past participle (v3)
- drummed
- present participle
- drumming
- 3rd person singular
- drums
Definitions
1.A percussive musical instrument spanned with a thin covering on at least one end for striking, forming an acoustic chamber; a membranophone.
- He's playing the piano and she's playing the drums!
- The group played huge drums placed overhead, along with flutes and a kotolike zither.
2.Any similar hollow, cylindrical object.
- Replace the drum unit of your printer.
3.A barrel or large cylindrical container for liquid transport and storage.
- The restaurant ordered ketchup in 50-gallon drums.
4.Synonym of construction barrel.
1.To beat with a rapid succession of strokes.
- The ruffed grouse drums with his wings.
2.To drill or review in an attempt to establish memorization.
- He’s still trying to drum Spanish verb conjugations into my head.
- Those long ago memories of gnawing sexuality clashing against drummed in prejudice.
3.To throb, as the heart.
4.To beat a drum.
Frequency
Overall
Rare· #4607
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Rare
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
Perhaps back-formation from drumslade (“drummer”), from Middle Dutch trommelslach (“drumbeat”), from trommel (“drum”) + slach (“beat”) (Dutch slag).