drum
♦ drum /dr'ʌm/ (drums drumming drummed)
1 [N-COUNT] oft the N
A drum is a musical instrument consisting of a skin stretched tightly over a round frame. You play a drum by beating it with sticks or with your hands.
2 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
A drum is a large cylindrical container which is used to store fuel or other substances.
...an oil drum.
3 [VERB] V n on/against n, V on n
If something drums on a surface, or if you drum something on a surface, it hits it regularly, making a continuous beating sound.
He drummed his fingers on the leather top of his desk...
Rain drummed on the roof of the car.
4
see also drumming
5 [PHRASE] V inflects
If someone beats the drum or bangs the drum for something, they support it strongly.drum into
[PHRASAL VERB] usu passive, be V-ed P n, V it P n that
If you drum something into someone, you keep saying it to them until they understand it or remember it.
Standard examples were drummed into students' heads...
They drummed it into her that she was not to tell anyone.drum kit (drum kits)
[N-COUNT]
A drum kit is a set of drums and cymbals.drum ma|jor (drum majors)
1 [N-COUNT]
A drum major is a sergeant in the army who is in charge of the drummers in a military band, or who leads the band when they are marching. (BRIT)
2 [N-COUNT]
A drum major is a man who leads a marching band by walking in front of them. (AM)drum ma|jor|ette (drum majorettes)
[N-COUNT]
A drum majorette is a girl or young woman who wears a uniform and carries a stick which at intervals she throws into the air and catches. Drum majorettes march, often in lines, in front of a band as part of a procession.drum out
[PHRASAL VERB] usu passive, be V-ed P P n
If someone is drummed out of an organization such as the armed forces or a club, they are forced to leave it, usually because they have done something wrong.
Sailors caught in a drugs scandal are to be drummed out of the service.drum roll (drum rolls)
also drumroll
[N-COUNT]
A drum roll is a series of drumbeats that follow each other so quickly that they make a continuous sound. A drum roll is often used to show that someone important is arriving, or to introduce someone.
A long drum roll introduced the trapeze artists.drum up
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you drum up support or business, you try to get it.
It is to be hoped that he is merely drumming up business.snare drum (snare drums)
[N-COUNT]
A snare drum is a small drum used in orchestras and bands. Snare drums are usually played with wooden sticks, and make a continuous sound.
1 [N-COUNT] oft the N
A drum is a musical instrument consisting of a skin stretched tightly over a round frame. You play a drum by beating it with sticks or with your hands.
2 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
A drum is a large cylindrical container which is used to store fuel or other substances.
...an oil drum.
3 [VERB] V n on/against n, V on n
If something drums on a surface, or if you drum something on a surface, it hits it regularly, making a continuous beating sound.
He drummed his fingers on the leather top of his desk...
Rain drummed on the roof of the car.
4
see also drumming
5 [PHRASE] V inflects
If someone beats the drum or bangs the drum for something, they support it strongly.drum into
[PHRASAL VERB] usu passive, be V-ed P n, V it P n that
If you drum something into someone, you keep saying it to them until they understand it or remember it.
Standard examples were drummed into students' heads...
They drummed it into her that she was not to tell anyone.drum kit (drum kits)
[N-COUNT]
A drum kit is a set of drums and cymbals.drum ma|jor (drum majors)
1 [N-COUNT]
A drum major is a sergeant in the army who is in charge of the drummers in a military band, or who leads the band when they are marching. (BRIT)
2 [N-COUNT]
A drum major is a man who leads a marching band by walking in front of them. (AM)drum ma|jor|ette (drum majorettes)
[N-COUNT]
A drum majorette is a girl or young woman who wears a uniform and carries a stick which at intervals she throws into the air and catches. Drum majorettes march, often in lines, in front of a band as part of a procession.drum out
[PHRASAL VERB] usu passive, be V-ed P P n
If someone is drummed out of an organization such as the armed forces or a club, they are forced to leave it, usually because they have done something wrong.
Sailors caught in a drugs scandal are to be drummed out of the service.drum roll (drum rolls)
also drumroll
[N-COUNT]
A drum roll is a series of drumbeats that follow each other so quickly that they make a continuous sound. A drum roll is often used to show that someone important is arriving, or to introduce someone.
A long drum roll introduced the trapeze artists.drum up
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you drum up support or business, you try to get it.
It is to be hoped that he is merely drumming up business.snare drum (snare drums)
[N-COUNT]
A snare drum is a small drum used in orchestras and bands. Snare drums are usually played with wooden sticks, and make a continuous sound.