Drum: meaning, definitions and examples

General term for any cylindrical percussion instrument that produces sound by being struck. Can be used in both casual and formal contexts to describe a range of instruments.

• He played the drum in the school band.
• They bought a new drum for the music room.

Generally used when referring to the musical instrument or the act of playing it.

• He can play the drum very well.
• The drummer started to drum a catchy rhythm.

Often used to describe the regular rhythm of music, heart, or repetitive hitting.

• The beat of the music was infectious.
• You could hear the beat of the drums from a distance.
• Her heart began to beat faster.

Commonly used to describe hitting something forcefully, either literally or figuratively.

• He strike the drum with confidence.
• Workers decided to strike for better pay.
• The clock will strike twelve soon.

Typically used to describe a dull, heavy sound made by hitting something, often giving a sense of heaviness or force.

• He gave the door a loud thump.
• You could hear the steady thump of the bass drum.
• She felt a thump in her chest from the excitement.