beatbox

American  

[beet-boks] / ˈbitˌbɒks /

Or beat-box

noun

1. drum machine.

2. Slang. boom box.

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verb (used without object)

1. 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

1. informal a drum machine

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Other Word Forms

• beatboxer noun

Etymology

Origin of beatbox

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

Example Sentences

In her monologue, McCarthy kicked off Christmas season on “SNL” by showing off her talent for “mouth horn,” a kind of humming/blowing/beatboxing of songs like “Carol of the Bells.”

From Los Angeles Times

You start the special by playing with the audience and getting people loose by showing off your beatboxing skills.

From Los Angeles Times

For “Beat of the Day,” Public Enemy rapper and “Flavor of Love” star Flavor Flav beatboxed and sang about loving different kinds of bugs.

From Los Angeles Times

Carter made use of the club’s subwoofers with his flashlight, putting his humorously sharp beatboxing party starter skills on display to test the limits of the Kookaburra’s sound system.

From Los Angeles Times

He left behind an incredible legacy, celebrated for his beatboxing prowess, turntable mastery and the 1989 classic “Just a Friend.”

From Seattle Times