Definition

1. Noun:

   • A musical percussion instrument: A drum is a hollow cylinder or hemisphere with a membrane (drumhead) stretched tightly over one or both ends, played by striking with the hands, sticks, or mallets.
   • A cylindrical container or object: A drum can refer to a cylindrical container for storing liquids (e.g., an oil drum) or a cylindrical mechanical part (e.g., a brake drum).
   • A sound resembling that of a drum: The word can describe a continuous rhythmic beating or tapping sound.
   • A type of fish: A drum is a bottom-dwelling fish that can produce a drumming or croaking sound.

2. Verb:

   • To play a drum: To perform on a drum or percussion instrument.
   • To make a continuous rhythmic sound: To tap or beat repeatedly, creating a steady, drum-like noise.
   • To study intensively (informal, phrasal verb: "drum up"): To try hard to create interest or support for something. (Note: This is a phrasal verb usage, not the core verb meaning).

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The drummer played a solo on the bass drum.
  • They shipped the chemicals in a 50-gallon steel drum.
  • The steady drum of rain on the roof helped me sleep.
  • We caught a black drum while fishing in the bay.

• Verb:

  • She learned to drum in a school band.
  • His fingers began to drum impatiently on the table.
  • The marketing team is trying to drum up new business.

Advanced Usage

• "Drum something into someone": To teach or impress a fact or idea on someone through forceful, persistent repetition.

  • The safety procedures were drummed into us from day one.

• "Drum someone out (of)": To expel or dismiss someone from a group, especially with disgrace.

  • He was drummed out of the regiment for misconduct.

Variants and Related Words

• Drummer (n): A person who plays a drum or drums.
• Drumming (n): The action or sound of playing a drum.
• Drumbeat (n): A stroke or pattern of strokes on a drum; a forceful, rhythmic emphasis.
• Drumhead (n): The membrane or skin stretched over the end of a drum.
• Eardrum (n): The membrane in the ear that vibrates in response to sound waves. (This is a compound word).

Synonyms

• Noun (instrument): Percussion instrument, timpani, snare.
• Noun (container): Barrel, cask, cylinder.
• Verb (to tap): Tap, beat, patter, rat-a-tat.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Drum up: To attempt to obtain or create something, such as interest, support, or business.

  • We need to drum up more volunteers for the event.

• Drum out: To expel or dismiss someone publicly and often ceremoniously.

  • The corrupt official was drummed out of office.

Related Idioms

• March to the beat of a different drum: To behave or think differently from most other people.

  • She's always been creative and marches to the beat of a different drum.

• A drum roll, please: A phrase used to build anticipation before an announcement.

  • And the winner is... drum roll, please... Jane Smith!

Noun

1. small to medium-sized bottom-dwelling food and game fishes of shallow coastal and fresh waters that make a drumming noise
2. a hollow cast-iron cylinder attached to the wheel that forms part of the brakes
3. a cylindrical metal container used for shipping or storage of liquids
4. a bulging cylindrical shape; hollow with flat ends
5. the sound of a drum
   • he could hear the drums before he heard the fifes
6. a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end

Verb

1. study intensively, as before an exam
   • I had to bone up on my Latin verbs before the final exam
2. play a percussion instrument
3. make a rhythmic sound
   • Rain drummed against the windshield
   • The drums beat all night