beatbox

American

[beet-boks] / ˈbitˌbɒks /

Or beat-box

noun

drum machine.
Slang. boom box.

verb (used without object)

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

informal a drum machine

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

beatboxer

noun

Etymology

Origin of beatbox

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He first formed The Disco 3 alongside the late Darren Robinson, also known as the Human Beatbox and Damon Wimbley, whose nickname was Kool Rock Ski.

From Fox News • Feb. 19, 2021

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 into its VM Apollo microphone, and its software will turn your vocals into drum samples.

From The Guardian • Aug. 6, 2017

The nonprofit Beatbox DC supports artists and community festivals.

From Washington Post • Oct. 18, 2016

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

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2016

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023