drum meaning and definition

DRUM noun

Definition of drum (noun)

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

DRUM verb

Definition of drum (verb)

1. make a rhythmic sound
   • "Rain drummed against the windshield"; "The drums beat all night"
   • synonyms: beat, thrum
2. play a percussion instrument
3. study intensively, as before an exam
   • "I had to bone up on my Latin verbs before the final exam"
   • synonyms: bone, bone up, cram, get up, grind away, mug up, swot, swot up