bass drum

American  

[beys] / beɪs /

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of bass drum

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Producer Brian Eno cited “Fresh” as the pivotal and irreversible production moment when “the rhythm instruments, particularly the bass drum and bass, suddenly become the important instruments in the mix.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2025

Lives Lived: In 1973, John Adams brought his bass drum to a Cleveland Indians game.

From New York Times • Feb. 3, 2023

Adams first hauled a bass drum that he bought for $25 at a garage sale to a game at Municipal Stadium during the 1973 season.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 30, 2023

During his first summer as a professional actor, Bonneville played the bass drum in “Romeo and Juliet,” the cymbal in “Midsummer Night’s Dream” and an officer in Shaw’s “Arms and the Man.”

From Washington Post • Nov. 7, 2022

Matt’s voice, to his horror, boomed out like a bass drum.

From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer