Drum Meaning
/ˈdɹʌm/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA percussive musical instrument spanned with a thin covering on at least one end for striking, forming an acoustic chamber; a membranophone.
nounAny similar hollow, cylindrical object.
Sentence Examples
Meg is beating a drum.
Tom has been beating the drum for the project.
He played the snare drum in the local marching band.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The marching band's big ____ made a loud booming sound.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Meg is beating a ____.
Word Origin & History
Perhaps back-formation from drumslade (“drummer”), from Middle Dutch trommelslach (“drumbeat”), from trommel (“drum”) + slach (“beat”) (Dutch slag). Or perhaps borrowed directly from a continental Germanic language; compare Middle Dutch tromme (“drum”), Middle Low German trumme (“drum”) et al. Compare also Middle High German trumme, trumbe (“drum”), Old High German trumba (“trumpet”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"In the Province of Xenſi, near the City Vucung, is a Hill called Taipe, which if a Drum be beaten upon it, preſently followeth Thunder, Lightning, and ſtormy weather, inſomuch that the Magiſtrates have forbidden all perſons upon pain of death to beat any Drum there."
— 1669, John Nievhoff, “Of ſome THINGS more then NATURAL, and ſtrange POOLS.”, in John Ogilby, transl., An Embassy from the Eaſt-India Company of the United Provinces, to the Grand Tartar Cham Emperour of China, London: John Macock, →OCLC, page 273:
"The group played huge drums placed overhead, along with flutes and a kotolike zither."
— 2008 January 15, Jon Pareles, “To See (and Hear) the World in Five Hours: Unique Sounds Ripe for Import”, in The New York Times:
"‘he is the darndest little speaker we got, so better sit there and listen to him while he gives you the drum and if you clean out your earholes you might get a bit of sense into your heads.’"
— 1985, Peter Carey, Illywhacker, Faber and Faber, published 2003, page 258:
"drumming with his fingers on the arm of his chair"
— 1824, Geoffrey Crayon [pseudonym; Washington Irving], Tales of a Traveller, (please specify |part=1 to 4), Philadelphia, Pa.: H[enry] C[harles] Carey & I[saac] Lea, […], →OCLC:
"Those long ago memories of gnawing sexuality clashing against drummed in prejudice."
— 1978 December 9, Pat M. Kuras, “A Splice of Lesbian Life”, in Gay Community News, volume 6, number 20, page 11:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The marching band's big ____ made a loud booming sound.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Meg is beating a ____.