drum definition

1. a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end
2. the sound of a drum
• examples: he could hear the drums before he heard the fifes
3. a cylindrical metal container used for shipping or storage of liquids
4. small to medium-sized bottom-dwelling food and game fishes of shallow coastal and fresh waters that make a drumming noise
5. make a rhythmic sound
• examples: Rain drummed against the windshield
• examples: The drums beat all night
6. play a percussion instrument