drum1
n.
- 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.
- a cylindrical object or part, especially a container:
an oil drum.
▸Architecture the circular vertical wall supporting a dome.
- historical a military drummer.
- Brit. informal a house or flat.
▸Austral./NZ informal a brothel.
- a tea party of a kind popular in the late 18th and early 19th century.
- Austral./NZ informal a piece of reliable inside information.
v.
(drums, drumming, drummed)
- play on a drum.
▸make a continuous rhythmic noise.
-
(drum something into)
drive a lesson into (someone) by constant repetition.
-
(drum someone out)
expel or dismiss someone with ignominy.
-
(drum something up)
attempt to obtain something by canvassing or soliciting:
they drummed up support.
Phrase
- beat
(or bang)
the drum of
(or for)
be ostentatiously in support of.
Etymology
ME: from MDu. or Low Ger. tromme, of imitative origin.
drum2
n.
(pl. same or drums)
a coastal or estuarine fish that makes a drumming sound by vibrating its swim bladder.
[Family Sciaenidae: many species.]