drum

/drʌm/

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The word "drum" can be understood in several ways, primarily as a noun and a verb. Let's break it down for easier understanding.

As a Noun:

1. Musical Instrument:

   • A drum is a musical instrument that makes sound when you hit it. It is usually a hollow cylinder with a tight skin (or membrane) stretched across the top and sometimes the bottom.
   • Example: "The drummer played a lively beat on the drum during the concert."

2. Fish:

   • "Drum" can also refer to small to medium-sized fish found in shallow waters, known for making a drumming noise.
   • Example: "We caught a drum while fishing in the lake."

3. Container:

   • A drum can be a cylindrical metal container used for storing or shipping liquids.
   • Example: "The factory shipped the chemicals in large drums."

4. Hollow Shape:

   • It can describe a bulging cylindrical shape that is hollow with flat ends.
   • Example: "The barrel is shaped like a drum."

5. Sound:

   • The term can refer to the sound that a drum makes.
   • Example: "The sound of the drum echoed through the hall."

As a Verb:

1. To Play a Drum:

   • To drum means to play a percussion instrument or make a rhythmic sound.
   • Example: "He likes to drum on the table when he’s thinking."

2. To Study Intensively:

   • In an informal sense, "to drum" can mean to study hard or review something thoroughly (often used in phrases like "drum up").
   • Example: "I need to drum up my knowledge of math before the test."

3. To Make a Rhythmic Sound:

   • You can also use "drum" to describe the sound of rain or another repetitive noise.
   • Example: "The rain drummed against the roof all night."

Advanced Usage:

• Phrasal Verb: "drum up" means to gather support or interest.
  • Example: "The team needs to drum up more fans for the upcoming game."

Word Variants:

• Drummer: A person who plays the drum.
• Drumming: The act of playing drums or making a rhythmic sound.

Different Meanings:

• In a non-musical context, "drum" can refer to the action of beating or tapping rhythmically.
• It can also represent the idea of creating excitement or building anticipation, as in "drumming up interest."

Synonyms:

• For the musical instrument: "percussion instrument," "timbale."
• For the sound: "beat," "thump."
• For the act of studying: "cram," "review."

Idioms:

• "Drum up support" means to gather help or encouragement from others.
• "Beat the drum for" means to advocate or promote something passionately.

Summary:

In summary, "drum" is a versatile word that can refer to a musical instrument, types of fish, containers, sounds, or actions related to studying or creating rhythmic beats.

Academic

Noun

1. small to medium-sized bottom-dwelling food and game fishes of shallow coastal and fresh waters that make a drumming noise
2. a hollow cast-iron cylinder attached to the wheel that forms part of the brakes
3. a cylindrical metal container used for shipping or storage of liquids
4. a bulging cylindrical shape; hollow with flat ends
5. the sound of a drum
   • he could hear the drums before he heard the fifes
6. a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end

Verb

1. study intensively, as before an exam
   • I had to bone up on my Latin verbs before the final exam
2. play a percussion instrument
3. make a rhythmic sound
   • Rain drummed against the windshield
   • The drums beat all night

Synonyms

• drumfish
• brake drum
• metal drum
• barrel
• membranophone
• tympan
• cram
• grind away
• bone up
• swot
• get up
• mug up
• swot up
• bone
• beat
• thrum