drum
DRUHM
Drum (noun) means a percussion instrument with a tight skin stretched over a hollow body, played by striking. Example: “The boy tapped a quiet rhythm on his toy drum.”
noun
1
A percussion instrument with a tight skin stretched over a hollow body, played by striking.
"The boy tapped a quiet rhythm on his toy drum."
"He kept the beat on his drum during the parade."
"She joined the band as a drummer, playing the snare drum."
2
A cylindrical container, especially one used to store or transport liquid.
"The workers rolled an empty oil drum across the yard."
"Rainwater collected in a plastic drum beside the shed."
"They stored the fuel in large metal drums."
verb
1
To strike or tap rhythmically, as if playing a drum.
"The rain drummed on the tin roof all night long."
"She drummed her fingers on the table while waiting."
"His heart drummed with excitement before the interview."
How to use drum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often the musical instrument, but also a cylindrical container, or the verb for tapping out a steady rhythm.
Common pairings
drum kit
oil drum
drum up support
drum your fingers
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Word forms
- Plural
- drums
- Third person singular
- drums
- Past tense
- drummed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The boy tapped a quiet rhythm on his toy _____.
Etymology
Possibly a shortened form of an old Dutch word for drumbeat, or borrowed directly from a related Germanic word for the instrument.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for drum
See all rhymes for drum →Frequently asked questions
What does “drum” mean?
The word “drum” means a percussion instrument with a tight skin stretched over a hollow body, played by striking. In plain terms, most often the musical instrument, but also a cylindrical container, or the verb for tapping out a steady rhythm.
How do you pronounce “drum”?
“Drum” is pronounced DRUHM (/ˈdɹʌm/ in IPA).
How do you use “drum” in a sentence?
Here is “drum” used in a sentence: “He kept the beat on his drum during the parade.”
What part of speech is “drum”?
Depending on how it is used, “drum” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “drum” come from?
The word “drum” comes from Germanic. Possibly a shortened form of an old Dutch word for drumbeat, or borrowed directly from a related Germanic word for the instrument.
Is “drum” a common word?
“Drum” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “drum” have?
“Drum” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a percussion instrument with a tight skin stretched over a hollow body, played by striking.
What is the difference between a "drum" and a "barrel"?
A "drum," in the container sense, is a cylindrical container with flat ends used to store or transport liquid, often made of metal or plastic. A "barrel" traditionally bulges in the middle and was built from wooden staves, though both can hold liquids.
How do you tell the musical and container senses of "drum" apart?
Context makes it clear: as a percussion instrument, a "drum" has a tight skin stretched over a hollow body and is played by striking, while as a container it is a cylindrical vessel for storing or transporting liquid such as oil. Surrounding words like "played" versus "stored" signal the meaning.
What words commonly go with "drum"?
Common collocations include "beat a drum," "play the drums," "drum kit," and "oil drum." The phrasal verb "drum up," as in "drum up support," extends the idea of beating a drum to attract attention.
What is the difference between a "drum" and a "canister"?
In the container sense, a "drum" is a large cylindrical vessel used to store or transport liquid, typically holding many litres. A "canister" is usually a smaller container for storing a range of substances, so "drum" implies greater size and capacity.
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