a musical percussion instrument consisting of a hollow, usually cylindrical, body covered at one or both ends with a tightly stretched membrane, or head, which is struck with the hand, a stick, or a pair of sticks, and typically produces a booming, tapping, or hollow sound.

any hollow tree or similar object or device used in this way.

the sound produced by such an instrument, object, or device.

any rumbling or deep booming sound.

a natural organ by which an animal produces a loud or bass sound.

eardrum.

any cylindrical object with flat ends.

a cylindrical part of a machine.

a cylindrical box or receptacle, esp. a large, metal one for storing or transporting liquids.

Also called tambour. Architecture .

any of several cylindrical or nearly cylindrical stones laid one above the other to form a column or pier.

a cylindrical or faceted construction supporting a dome.

any of several marine and freshwater fishes of the family Sciaenidae that produce a drumming sound.

Also called drum memory . Computers . magnetic drum .

Archaic . an assembly of fashionable people at a private house in the evening.

a person who plays the drum.

Australian Informal . reliable, confidential, or profitable information

to give someone the drum.

to beat or play a drum.

to beat on anything rhythmically, esp. to tap one's fingers rhythmically on a hard surface.

to make a sound like that of a drum; resound.

(of ruffed grouse and other birds) to produce a sound resembling drumming.

to beat (a drum) rhythmically; perform by beating a drum

to drum a rhythm for dancers.

to call or summon by, or as if by, beating a drum.

to drive or force by persistent repetition

to drum an idea into someone.

to fill a drum with; store in a drum

to drum contaminated water and dispose of it.

drum out,

(formerly) to expel or dismiss from a military service in disgrace to the beat of a drum.

to dismiss in disgrace

He was drummed out of the university for his gambling activities.

drum up,

to call or summon by, or as if by, beating a drum.

to obtain or create (customers, trade, interest, etc.) through vigorous effort

They were unable to drum up enthusiasm for the new policies.

to concoct; devise

to drum up new methods of dealing with urban crime.

beat the drum, to promote, publicize

or advertise

The boss is out beating the drum for a new product.

verb

boom * , pulsate , rap , reverberate , roar , strum , tattoo , throb , thrum , thunder * , barrel , beat , bongo , capstan , cask , cylinder , drone , gather , instrument , keg , reiterate , tabor , tambour , tambourine , tap , thunder , timbrel , tom-tom