drum

drum — noun

1. a musical instrument that has a round hollow body covered by a tight top layer,

1.nounA2
Definition

a musical instrument that has a round hollow body covered by a tight top layer, and the player makes sound by hitting that layer with their hands or with special sticks.

Example

Yasmin plays the drums in a rock band at the local club every Friday.

collocation: plays the drums

The drummer hit the bass drum so hard the whole room shook.

specific type: bass drum

Common collocations
  • play the drums
  • a set of drums
  • hit the drum
  • drum solo
  • drum kit
  • drum beat
  • bass drum
  • snare drum
Synonyms
  • snare drum

    a specific type of drum with metal wires stretched across the bottom

  • bongo

    a small hand-played drum of Caribbean origin, usually played in pairs

  • timpani

    large orchestral drums tuned to specific pitches, played with mallets

Grammar Patterns

play + the drums

a set of drums

Usage Note

When referring to playing this instrument as a skill or hobby, the plural form 'drums' is typically used: 'She plays the drums.' The singular refers to one individual instrument in a set.

Common Mistakes

I drum every weekend' (as a hobby).
I play the drums every weekend.
To describe the activity of playing the instrument as a musician, use 'play the drums' rather than the verb 'drum.'

2. a large cylinder-shaped container, usually made of metal or strong plastic, used

2.nounB1
Definition

a large cylinder-shaped container, usually made of metal or strong plastic, used for storing and moving liquids such as oil, chemicals, or rainwater.

Example

Workers rolled a metal drum of olive oil off the delivery truck.

collocation: a drum of + liquid

The factory stores chemical waste in blue plastic drums near the loading bay.

Common collocations
  • a drum of oil
  • a drum of chemicals
  • metal drum
  • plastic drum
  • oil drum
Synonyms
  • barrel

    similar shape but traditionally made of wooden staves with metal bands, used for aging wine or spirits

  • canister

    a smaller container, often with a tight lid, used for dry goods or gas

  • tank

    a much larger container, often built into a structure or vehicle

Grammar Patterns

a drum of + liquid

3. the rotating hollow metal cylinder inside a washing machine, tumble dryer, or si

3.nounB2
Definition

the rotating hollow metal cylinder inside a washing machine, tumble dryer, or similar appliance, where clothes or other items are placed for cleaning or drying.

Example

The washing machine drum spun faster as the rinse cycle began.

collocation: washing machine drum

A small coin got trapped between the drum and the rubber seal of the dryer.

Common collocations
  • washing machine drum
  • dryer drum
  • drum spins
  • inside the drum
  • drum door

Grammar Patterns

the drum of a + machine

in/out of the drum

Phrasal verbs

drum up

phrasal verb

to try hard to get support, interest, or business from people, especially by making a special effort or promotion.

The start-up company sent free samples to local shops to drum up interest in their new snacks.

Joaquín spent the whole week calling customers to drum up more orders for the team.

drum into

phrasal verb

to force information or an idea into someone's mind by repeating it many times, often to the point of being annoying.

Yan's grandfather drummed the importance of honesty into him from a very young age.

The coach drummed the safety rules into the players before every practice session.

drum out

phrasal verb

to force someone to leave an organization, job, or community, usually because of a serious mistake or unacceptable behaviour.

The officer was drummed out of the military after the investigation into the missing funds.

Several members were drummed out of the club for breaking the code of conduct.

Idioms

beat / bang the drum for

idiom

to express strong and enthusiastic support for a person, idea, or cause, often in a public or persistent way.

The senator never stops beating the drum for better public schools in rural areas.

Our manager is always banging the drum for the new recycling programme at work.

march to the beat of a different drummer

idiom

to behave in a way that is different from most people; to follow one's own ideas or beliefs rather than conforming to social norms.

While her classmates all went into banking, Talia marched to the beat of a different drummer and became a wildlife photographer.

beat/bang the drum (for somebody/something)

idiom

To strongly and eagerly support or promote someone or something.

Min keeps banging the drum for renewable energy at every meeting.

Why are you beating the drum for that unpopular candidate?

drum — verb

Word family

  • drummer
    nounA2
  • drumming
    nounB1
  • drumbeat
    nounB1
  • drumstick
    nounB1
  • drumroll
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four verbs describe striking a surface, but they differ in force, rhythm, and emotional tone. 'Tap' is the lightest — a quick, gentle touch with few repetitions, like tapping someone on the shoulder to get their attention. 'Drum' implies a steady, repeated rhythm, similar to a drumbeat. 'Beat' is more forceful and often has a clear musical pulse, as in beating a drum or beating time. 'Pound' is the heaviest, suggesting anger or impatience — you might pound your fist on a door. 'Thump' is a single dull, heavy blow with no rhythmic pattern, like a book thumping onto a table. To feel the difference: you tap a rhythm, drum your fingers impatiently, beat a drum in a band, pound on a locked door, and thump a bag of groceries onto the counter.

tap ↗beat ↗pound ↗thump ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • fingers
  • hands
  • rain
  • sticks

Adverbs

Phrases

  • the beat of a drum
  • drum and bass
  • the drum of rain on the roof

Prepositions

Etymology

DutchMiddle Low GermanEnglish

The word 'drum' entered English in the mid-1500s (earlier forms 'drom' or 'drumme'), probably borrowed from Middle Dutch 'tromme' or Middle Low German 'trumme,' both meaning a drum. The word is thought to be onomatopoeic — it imitates the deep, resonant sound the instrument makes when struck. Related words exist in other Germanic languages, such as German 'Trommel' and Swedish 'trumma.'