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noun

drumstick

DRUHM-stihk

Drumstick (noun) means a stick used to strike a drum. Example: “He twirled his drumsticks before starting the song.”

noun
1
A stick used to strike a drum.
"He twirled his drumsticks before starting the song."
2
The lower leg portion of a cooked chicken or turkey.
"She ordered a drumstick and fries at the fried chicken shop."

How to use drumstick

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the wooden stick used to play a drum, or the leg portion of a chicken, named for its similar shape.

Common pairings
chicken drumstick twirl a drumstick

Word forms

drumsticks plural

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He twirled his _____ before starting the song.

Etymology

A compound of drum and stick, first describing the instrument accessory before being applied to the similarly shaped chicken leg.

Frequently asked questions

What does “drumstick” mean?

The word “drumstick” means a stick used to strike a drum. In plain terms, either the wooden stick used to play a drum, or the leg portion of a chicken, named for its similar shape.

How do you pronounce “drumstick”?

“Drumstick” is pronounced DRUHM-stihk (/ˈdɹʌmˌstɪk/ in IPA).

How do you use “drumstick” in a sentence?

Here is “drumstick” used in a sentence: “He twirled his drumsticks before starting the song.”

What part of speech is “drumstick”?

“Drumstick” is a noun.

How many meanings does “drumstick” have?

“Drumstick” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a stick used to strike a drum.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial