drum major

American  

noun

1. the marching leader of a drum corps or a band.

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drum major British  

noun

1. the noncommissioned officer, usually of warrant officer's rank, who is appointed to command the corps of drums of a military band and who is in command of both the drums and the band when paraded together

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Etymology

Origin of drum major

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

drum major

He was the drum major in his Granada Hills High School marching band, he told me, and he’s ready to lead.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 28, 2026

Paul Antonio Johnson led a procession along the perimeter, his high knees evoking a drum major in a marching band.

From New York Times ● May 2, 2024

"The viewership for this game is on a seemingly inexorable march toward more viewers, and this year Taylor Swift may be playing the role of drum major," said Daniel Ladik, chief methodologist for the poll.

From BBC ● Feb. 11, 2024

After tearing our hair out over rising sea levels and 100-year hurricanes coming every five years, we can have a little giggle at the venture capitalists in drum major uniforms, as a treat.

From Slate ● Sep. 6, 2023

Suddenly, the drum major saw the car and shook his cane-baton at me.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison