drum

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A musical instrument made of a hollow body with a tight skin stretched over it, played by hitting it.

   Grammar: Countable: a drum, two drums. Often used in the plural when talking about a set.

   Patterns

   • play the drum
   • beat a drum
   • on drums

   She plays the drum in a local band.

   The drummer beat the drum loudly.

   He bought a new drum for his son.

2. 2verbtransitive or intransitive

   To hit a surface repeatedly and rhythmically with your fingers or an object.

   Grammar: Can be used with an object (drum your fingers) or without (drum on the table).

   Patterns

   • drum on something
   • drum something on something
   • drum your fingers

   She drummed her fingers on the desk while waiting.

   He drummed on the steering wheel to the music.

   The rain drummed on the roof all night.

3. 3verbtransitive

   To teach or force something into someone's mind by repeating it many times.

   Grammar: Often used with 'into': drum something into someone.

   Patterns

   • drum something into someone
   • drum something into someone's head

   The teacher drummed the rules into the students.

   He drummed the importance of safety into his team.

Word forms

Common combinations

beat a drum

The musician beat the drum with wooden sticks.

play the drums

He learned to play the drums at school.

drum up support

The campaign tried to drum up support for the new policy.

drum something into someone

She drummed the safety rules into the new workers.

Synonyms and how they differ

percussion instrument

A broader term for any instrument played by hitting, including drums, cymbals, and xylophones.

tambourine

A specific type of percussion instrument with metal disks, not a drum.

Word family

drummer noun

A person who plays a drum or drums.

drumming noun

The act or sound of playing a drum or tapping rhythmically.

Practice

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