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kettledrum

noun
ket·​tle·​drum | \ ˈke-tÉ™l-ËŒdrÉ™m How to pronounce kettledrum (audio) \

Definition of kettledrum

: a percussion instrument that consists of a hollow brass, copper, or fiberglass hemisphere with a calfskin or plastic head whose tension can be changed to vary the pitch

Illustration of kettledrum

Illustration of kettledrum

Examples of kettledrum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 The tape-staticky gourd rattle and kettledrum boom. — Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, "The State," 14 Mar. 2018 The women hammered kettledrums and struck a gong suspended from a pagoda. — Julie Lasky, New York Times, "At Shanghai Disney Resort, Mulan, Mickey and Dumplings," 4 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kettledrum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of kettledrum

1602, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for kettledrum

kettledrum

noun
How to pronounce kettledrum (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of kettledrum

: a large drum that has a rounded bottom

See the full definition for kettledrum in the English Language Learners Dictionary

kettledrum

noun
ket·​tle·​drum | \ ˈke-tᵊl-ËŒdrÉ™m How to pronounce kettledrum (audio) \

Kids Definition of kettledrum

: a large brass or copper drum that has a rounded bottom and can be varied in pitch

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More from Merriam-Webster on kettledrum

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with kettledrum

Spanish Central: Translation of kettledrum

Nglish: Translation of kettledrum for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of kettledrum for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kettledrum

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