Percussion: meaning, definitions and examples

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percussion

 

[ pəˈkʌʃ(ə)n ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

music

The striking of one body against another with some sharpness; collision; as, a percussion of the brain.

Synonyms

hit, impact, strike.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
percussion

Used in the context of music to describe instruments that produce sound when struck.

  • The drummer excels at playing various percussion instruments
  • Fell in love with the percussion section in the orchestra
impact

Describes a strong effect or influence, often used in scientific, dramatic, or formal contexts to denote a powerful collision or effect.

  • The impact of the collision damaged the car
  • The speech had a huge impact on the audience
strike

Typically used to describe a sudden, forceful action, often in more formal contexts. Can also refer to work stoppage in the context of labor disputes.

  • The workers decided to go on strike
  • He struck the nail with a hammer
hit

Commonly used in everyday language to describe an act of forcefully touching or striking someone or something. Often implies a direct and forceful action.

  • He hit the ball out of the park
  • The car hit a tree

Examples of usage

  • The percussion of the drum added rhythm to the music.
  • She played the percussion instruments with great skill.
  • The percussion section of the orchestra includes drums and cymbals.
Context #2 | Noun

medicine

The act of tapping or striking the surface of the body in order to detect evidence of fluid within a cavity, determine the density of a part, dislodge calculi, etc.

Synonyms

hit, strike, tap.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
percussion

Often used in musical contexts to describe instruments that are played by striking, such as drums, or the act of playing these instruments.

  • She plays percussion in the school band.
  • The composition features a lot of percussion instruments.
tap

Used to describe a light or gentle touch, often with the fingers. It can be used in both literal and figurative senses.

  • She tapped her fingers on the table while waiting.
  • He tapped the screen to wake up his phone.
strike

Formal term often used in contexts such as sports, labor actions, or military. It can also imply a more intense or powerful hit.

  • The workers decided to strike for better conditions.
  • The boxer aimed to strike his opponent with one powerful punch.
hit

General term used to describe any action of striking something with force. Often associated with physical actions, sports, or impacts.

  • He hit the ball out of the park.
  • She hit her head on the shelf.

Examples of usage

  • The doctor performed a percussion on the patient's chest to check for fluid buildup.
  • Percussion is often used to diagnose conditions in the abdomen.

Translations

Translations of the word "percussion" in other languages:

🇵🇹 percussão

🇮🇳 तालवाद्य

🇩🇪 Schlagzeug

🇮🇩 perkusi

🇺🇦 ударні інструменти

🇵🇱 perkusja

🇯🇵 打楽器 (だがっき)

🇫🇷 percussion

🇪🇸 percusión

🇹🇷 perküsyon

🇰🇷 타악기 (타악기)

🇸🇦 إيقاع

🇨🇿 bicí nástroje

🇸🇰 bicie nástroje

🇨🇳 打击乐 (dǎjíyuè)

🇸🇮 tolkala

🇮🇸 slagverk

🇰🇿 ұрып ойнайтын аспаптар

🇬🇪 დასარტყმელი ინსტრუმენტები

🇦🇿 zərb alətləri

🇲🇽 percusión

Etymology

The word 'percussion' originated from the Latin word 'percussio', which means a striking. It has been used in English since the 16th century. Percussion instruments have been used in various cultures throughout history for communication, rituals, and music. The development of percussion in Western music led to the inclusion of percussion sections in orchestras and bands.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,515, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.