Drums: Definition, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：percussion instrument (Drums)

Drums 🔊

/drʌmz/

Drums are musical instruments that you hit with your hands or sticks to make sound, often used in bands or for fun.

percussion instrument 🔊

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/pərˈkʌʃən ˈɪnstrəmənt/

A drum is a musical instrument that produces sound when struck with hands, sticks, or mallets, typically consisting of a membrane stretched over a hollow body.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from Old English 'drum', onomatopoeic for the sound of beating.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'drum' as the sound 'drum-drum' when you hit it.

📖 Example

At the school talent show, the drums added an exciting rhythm that made everyone want to dance. 🔊 At the school talent show, the drums added an exciting rhythm that made everyone want to dance.

🔗 Collocations

play the drums – to perform music using drums

drum set – a collection of drums and cymbals played by one person

drum beat – the rhythmic pattern produced by striking a drum

🔄 Synonyms

percussion (n.) – Musical instruments that are struck to produce sound, including drums.

timpani (n.) – Large kettle drums used in orchestras, tuned to specific pitches.

bongo (n.) – A small pair of drums played with the hands, common in Latin music.

🌱 Derivatives

drummer (n.) – a person who plays the drums

drumming (n.) – the action or sound of playing a drum

drumstick (n.) – a stick used to strike a drum

📖 Cultural Story

Drums have been used since ancient times for communication, rituals, and music, evolving from hollow logs to modern sets.