bass drum

American  

[beys] / beɪs /

noun

bass drums plural

1. the largest and lowest toned of drums, having a cylindrical body and two membrane heads.

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bass drum British  

/ beɪs /

noun

1. Also called: gran cassa.  a large shallow drum of low and indefinite pitch

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bass drum Cultural  

1. The large drum with a cylindrical shape that gives the strong beat in brass bands.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bass drums
  plural

Etymology

Origin of bass drum

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bass drum

The following track, “Death Wish,” is about the torment of a new love gone bad, and it unfolds over plucked acoustic guitars and a distant bass drum that sounds like a heartbeat.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

Here are some facts that will help you understand why it’s so very hard to stay cool in your home when the sun is beating on it like a bass drum.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 3, 2024

During concerts, Carlos Niño may set up a bass drum and a floor tom, but his percussion is far from conventional.

From New York Times ● May 13, 2024

But it was fun to see Jake Clemons put his saxophone down to smack a bass drum hard enough that you could hear it without apparent amplification.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2024

With his first check for overtime work, Willie bought himself a bass drum and a pair of cymbals.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith