drum majorette

American  

noun

1. a girl or woman who leads a marching band or drum corps.

2. a girl or woman who twirls a baton with a marching band or drum corps.

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drum majorette British  

noun

1. a girl who marches at the head of a procession, twirling a baton

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Gender

See -ette.

Etymology

Origin of drum majorette

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40

Example Sentences

“Who on earth would follow this drum majorette into battle?” she asks after watching a 17-year-old Seberg, brandishing a sword.

From New York Times • Feb. 19, 2020

The camera dollies up to a drum majorette who taps out a count, mean-mugs for a moment, and then blows her whistle to summon the demi-deity known as Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.

From The Guardian • Dec. 23, 2019

For the club-wielding routine, think drum majorette meets juggler.“ Similarly, behold how Slate recently declared synchronized swimming the “most ridiculous Olympic sport” even while acknowledging it “definitely counts as an athletic activity.”

From Salon • Aug. 10, 2012

As a drum majorette in Pretty Poison, a fine but little-publicized 1968 film, she mixed innocence with evil to chilling effect, etching her character with acid and honey.

From Time Magazine Archive

In the '20s, somebody dreamed up the idea of leading off the band with a female drum major, and the drum majorette was born.

From Time Magazine Archive