noun
drumroll
noun
1
A rapid, continuous beating of a drum, often used to build suspense before an announcement.
"The host paused for a drumroll before revealing the winner."
How to Use Drumroll
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rapid drumbeat used to create suspense, often said humorously before a reveal.
Common pairings
drumroll, please
a dramatic drumroll
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “drumroll”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The host paused for a _____ before revealing the winner.
Etymology
A compound of drum and roll, describing the rolling sound made by rapid drumbeats.