percussion

American  

[per-kuhsh-uhn] / pərˈkʌʃ ən /

noun

1. the striking of one body against another with some sharpness; impact; blow.

2. Medicine/Medical. the striking or tapping of the surface of a part of the body for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

3. the striking of a musical instrument to produce tones.

4. Music.

   1. the section of an orchestra or band comprising the percussion instruments.

   2. the percussion instruments themselves.

5. a sharp blow for detonating a percussion cap or the fuze of an artillery shell.

6. the striking of sound on the ear.

7. the act of percussing.

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percussion British  

/ pəˈkʌʃən /

noun

1. the act, an instance, or an effect of percussing

2. music the family of instruments in which sound arises from the striking of materials with sticks, hammers, or the hands

3. music

   1. instruments of this family constituting a section of an orchestra, band, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a percussion ensemble

4. med the act of percussing a body surface

5. the act of exploding a percussion cap

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percussion Cultural  

1. A family of musical instruments played by striking their surfaces. Percussion instruments are used to accentuate and dramatize certain notes or rhythms and include instruments such as cymbals, drums, triangles, and xylophones. (See kettledrum, snare drum, and orchestra.)

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Other Word Forms

• percussional adjective

Etymology

Origin of percussion

1535–45; < Latin percussiōn- (stem of percussiō ) a beating. See percuss, -ion

Example Sentences

A percussion instrument was also designed, with the drum head using the same material as the vessel's sails.

From BBC

It was the only work by one of the world’s greatest percussionists for a percussion ensemble.

From Los Angeles Times

All of the 15 performers are highly skilled in their own artistic disciplines, but the boundaries are blurred—instrumentalists sing, singers play violins and percussion, and everyone commits vigorously to movement.

From The Wall Street Journal

I play all the Afro-Cuban percussion instruments that are inherent in Cuban music.

From Los Angeles Times

Whereas on tracks like “Dime” and “Flores,” there are distinct orchestral peaks, in which subtle percussions give way to grander, more cathartic releases.

From Los Angeles Times