rim shot

or rim·shot

[ rim shot ]

noun

1. a drum beat made by hitting the rim and the head of a drum with a drumstick at the same time:

   A rim shot can be used to add a more driving beat to the song.

2. the sound of a beat struck on both the rim and head of a drum followed by a cymbal crash, used to signal that a joke has been made, as on a television program:

   The movie wisely acknowledges that the laughs are better served with a wink and a nod than a rim shot and a laugh track.

3. Basketball. a shot that touches the rim of the hoop:

   A rim shot that didn't land lost them the game.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rim shot¹

First recorded in 1930–35; 1940–45 rim shot fordef 3

Example Sentences

He had, after all, already learned just how much trouble that could get him into—rim shot.

From The Daily Beast

Television cameras caught Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) air-drumming a rim shot.

From The Daily Beast