drum¹ / drəm/ • n. 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. ∎  (drums) a set of drums. ∎  (drums) the percussion section of a band or orchestra. ∎  [in sing.] a sound made by or resembling that of a drum: the drum of their feet. ∎ hist. a military drummer.2. something resembling or likened to a drum in shape, in particular: ∎  a cylindrical container or receptacle. See also oil drum. ∎  a rotating cylindrical part in a washing machine, in which the laundry is placed. ∎  a similar cylindrical part in certain other appliances. ∎  Archit. the circular vertical wall supporting a dome. ∎  Archit. a stone block forming part of a column.3. an evening or afternoon tea party of a kind that was popular in the late 18th and early 19th century.• v. (drummed, drum·ming) [intr.] play on a drum. ∎  make a continuous rhythmic noise: she felt the blood drumming in her ears | [as n.] (drumming) the drumming of hooves. ∎  [tr.] beat (the fingers, feet, etc.) repeatedly on a surface, esp. as a sign of impatience or annoyance: waiting around an empty table, drumming their fingers. ∎  (of a woodpecker) strike the bill rapidly on a dead trunk or branch, esp. as a sound indicating a territorial claim. ∎  (of a snipe) vibrate the outer tail feathers in a diving display flight, making a throbbing sound.PHRASES: beat (or bang) the drum for (or against) be ostentatiously in support of (or in opposition to): he limited campaign contributions in order to beat the drum against political action committees| feminists bang the drum for ‘quality time.’PHRASAL VERBS: drum something into drive a lesson into (someone) by constant repetition: it had been drummed into them to dress correctly.drum someone out expel or dismiss someone with ignominy from a place or institution: he was drummed out of the air force.drum something up attempt to obtain something by canvassing or soliciting: the organizers are hoping to drum up support from local businesses.drum² • n. Scot. & Irish a long narrow hill, esp. one separating two parallel valleys.drum² (also drumfish) • n. (pl. same or drums ) a fish (family Sciaenidae) that makes a drumming sound by vibrating its swim bladder, found mainly in estuarine and shallow coastal waters.