beatbox

American  

[beet-boks] / ˈbitˌbɒks /

Or beat-box

noun

1. drum machine.

2. Slang. boom box.

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verb (used without object)

1. to simulate the sounds and rhythms of percussion instruments or a drum machine by using the mouth and voice.

   Have you ever heard someone beatbox like that?

beatbox British  

/ ˈbiːtˌbɒks /

noun

1. informal a drum machine

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Other Word Forms

• beatboxer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of beatbox

An Americanism dating back to 1975–80; beat + box ¹

Example Sentences

The rapper, whose real name is Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, released a new song, "Beatbox Freestyle," on Friday in which he allegedly slammed the teen singer/dancer/Internet personality.

From Fox News • Feb. 22, 2021

Did you ever deal with that — the idea of you being the Human Beatbox, a sound effects guy?

From Washington Post • Jul. 16, 2020

The first and only two-time winner of the Beatbox Battle World Championship, Ms. Mullady, 27, is known for incorporating singing, poetry and other theatrics into her performances.

From New York Times • Nov. 7, 2019

Beatbox musician Bigg Taj works with young people in the area.

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2016

Yes, 8Bit Beatbox takes its inspiration firmly from retro videogames – not that they were retro at the time, of course.

From The Guardian • Sep. 28, 2012