drum
A musical instrument made of a hollow body covered with a tight skin or plastic. It is played by hitting it with sticks or your hands to create a rhythmic sound.
Examples
3 of 5He practiced the drum in his bedroom every afternoon after school.
He played the percussion instrument in his room daily.
The orchestra's percussion section features a large ceremonial drum.
The formal music group includes a big traditional drum.
Hey, stop beating on that drum, it is far too loud!
Please stop hitting that instrument because it is noisy.
Synonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'D' shape as the round top of the drum and 'rum' as the rumbling sound it makes when you hit it.
Quick Quiz
The ______ is a very loud instrument that you hit with sticks.
Correct!
The correct answer is: drum
Examples
He practiced the drum in his bedroom every afternoon after school.
everydayHe played the percussion instrument in his room daily.
The orchestra's percussion section features a large ceremonial drum.
formalThe formal music group includes a big traditional drum.
Hey, stop beating on that drum, it is far too loud!
informalPlease stop hitting that instrument because it is noisy.
In many ancient societies, the drum served as a primary tool for long-distance communication.
academicDrums were historically used to send messages across distances.
The marketing team began to beat the drum for the new software release.
businessThe business team started promoting the new product heavily.
Synonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
beat the drum for
to support or promote something enthusiastically
drum up support
to try to get people to support your ideas
march to the beat of a different drum
to behave in a way that is different from other people
Often Confused With
A drumstick is the tool used to hit the drum, not the instrument itself.
A dram is a small unit of liquid measurement, sounding similar but unrelated.
Usage Notes
The word 'drum' can refer to the musical instrument or any large cylindrical container. When talking about the instrument in a band, people often use the plural 'drums' to refer to the whole set.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to use the definite article 'the' when saying 'play the drum'. Some also confuse the verb 'drumming' with 'beating' in a non-musical context.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'D' shape as the round top of the drum and 'rum' as the rumbling sound it makes when you hit it.
Word Origin
From the Middle Dutch word 'tromme', which likely mimics the sound of a drum being hit.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Drums are among the world's oldest instruments and are central to communal gatherings and ceremonies in almost every culture.
Quick Quiz
The ______ is a very loud instrument that you hit with sticks.
Correct!
The correct answer is: drum
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
More music words
guitar
A1A musical instrument that usually has six strings and a long neck. It is played by plucking or strumming the strings with your fingers or a pick.
octave
A1An octave is the distance between two musical notes where the higher note has double the frequency of the lower one. In a standard musical scale, it includes eight notes, such as from one 'C' to the next 'C' above it.
measure
A1In music, a measure is a small section of a piece of music that contains a specific number of beats. It is the space between two vertical lines on a musical staff that helps musicians keep track of the rhythm.
cello
A1A large musical instrument with four strings that is played with a bow. The player sits down and holds the instrument between their knees while playing.
clarinet
A1A musical instrument shaped like a long black tube with metal keys. You play it by blowing into a mouthpiece with a single reed to create sound.
oboe
A1An oboe is a musical instrument that belongs to the woodwind family. It has a long, thin body and uses a double reed to create a high, clear, and distinct sound.
trumpet
A1A musical instrument made of brass that you play by blowing into it and pressing three valves. It has a bright, powerful sound and is often used in jazz, classical music, and marching bands.
timpani
A1Timpani are large, bowl-shaped drums usually made of copper and played in an orchestra. They are also called kettledrums because they look like big pots and can be tuned to specific musical notes.
concert
A1A musical performance given in public by one or more musicians. It can range from a small group in a cafe to a large orchestra in a grand hall.
duet
A1A duet is a musical performance or piece of music for two people to play or sing together. It is a way for two musicians to combine their talents in one song.
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