drum1
¦ noun
1. a percussion instrument sounded by being struck with sticks or the hands, typically cylindrical, barrel-shaped, or bowl-shaped with a taut membrane over one or both ends.
a sound made by or resembling that of a drum.
2. a cylindrical object or part, especially a container: an oil drum.
Architecture the circular vertical wall supporting a dome.
3. historical a military drummer.
4. Brit. informal a house or flat.
Austral./NZ informal a brothel.
5. a tea party of a kind popular in the late 18th and early 19th century.
6. Austral./NZ informal a piece of reliable inside information.
¦ verb (drums, drumming, drummed)
1. play on a drum.
make a continuous rhythmic noise.
2. (drum something into) drive a lesson into (someone) by constant repetition.
3. (drum someone out) expel or dismiss someone with ignominy.
4. (drum something up) attempt to obtain something by canvassing or soliciting: they drummed up support.
Phrases
beat (or bang) the drum of (or for) be ostentatiously in support of.
Origin
ME: from MDu. or Low Ger. tromme, of imitative origin.
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drum2
(also drumfish)
¦ noun (plural same or drums) a coastal or estuarine fish that makes a drumming sound by vibrating its swim bladder. [Family Sciaenidae: many species.]