drumming

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The act or sound of playing a drum or drums, especially as a continuous rhythm.

   Grammar: Used without 'a' or a plural: 'the drumming grew louder'.

   Patterns

   • the drumming of something
   • loud/steady drumming

   The drumming from the street festival kept us awake all night.

   We could hear the steady drumming of rain on the roof.

   Her drumming improved a lot after she joined the school band.

2. 2noununcountable

   A continuous beating or tapping sound, like that made by fingers or rain.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'of' plus the thing making the sound: 'the drumming of fingers'.

   Patterns

   • the drumming of something
   • a drumming sound

   He was nervous, and the drumming of his fingers on the desk annoyed everyone.

   The drumming of hooves grew closer as the horses approached.

3. 3verbtransitive or intransitive

   Present participle of 'drum': hitting something repeatedly to make a sound, or playing a drum.

   Grammar: Needs a subject; can take an object or be used alone: 'She was drumming her fingers.' / 'He was drumming loudly.'

   Patterns

   • drumming on something
   • drumming something

   She sat by the window, drumming her fingers on the glass.

   The children were drumming on empty boxes in the yard.

Common combinations

the drumming of rain

The drumming of rain on the tent made it hard to sleep.

drumming fingers

His drumming fingers showed how impatient he was.

loud drumming

The loud drumming came from the apartment above.

steady drumming

The steady drumming of the engine relaxed the passengers.

Synonyms and how they differ

beating

A more general word for repeated hitting; 'drumming' suggests a rhythmic, drum-like sound.

tapping

Usually lighter and quicker than 'drumming', which is louder and more continuous.

thumping

Suggests a heavier, duller sound than the sharper rhythm of 'drumming'.

Word family

drum noun

A musical instrument you hit with sticks or hands.

drummer noun

A person who plays a drum.

drum verb

To hit something repeatedly, or to play a drum.

Commonly confused: drumming or drowning?

Practice

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