drummer

American  

[druhm-er] / ˈdrʌm ər /

noun

drummers plural

1. a person who plays a drum.

2. a commercial traveler or traveling sales representative.

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idioms

1. march to a different drummer, to be motivated by a different set of values than the average person.

drummer British  

/ ˈdrʌmə /

noun

1. a person who plays a drum or set of drums

2. a salesman, esp a travelling salesman

3. slang the slowest shearer in a team

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drummer More Idioms  

1. see march to a different beat (drummer).

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• drummers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of drummer

First recorded in 1565–75; drum ¹ + -er ¹

Explanation

A drummer is a musician who plays the drums. The drummer in a rock band might play a huge set of many different drums and other percussion instruments. A professional drummer could play in a marching band, a classical symphony, or a country and western group. A casual drummer can be someone who taps on the bongoes in a city park or takes drumming lessons and practices in her basement. The word drummer comes from drum, which has a Germanic, imitative root — it's a word that sounds like its meaning.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

drummer drummers

“We’re closer than we’ve probably ever been,” Syd says of the band, whose drummer, Christoper Smith, put out yet another solo record on the same day as “Beard” and Lacy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

"We didn't have a drummer and I piped up...' well, I know a drummer'," he said.

From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026

The actor was joined by Molly Shannon, his former ‘Saturday Night Live’ castmate, in a sketch, and a long-running gag with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith continued.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 16, 2026

The band’s drummer was in critical condition, Athipat said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

“Bono hath informed me,” said Dr. Trefusis, “that you met with a young drummer of Oyo. I trust the discourse was fruitful?”

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

A large Loch Ness Monster representation then emerged, before, backed by bagpipers and drummers, a rousing rendition of Flower of Scotland followed.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

I’ve played with drummers where you do a fill and then they do all this fast stuff, which I don’t do.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 30, 2026

In 1989, Melvin Gibbs rehearsed in a band led by Senegalese drummers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026

In a faded rehearsal hall in the gritty concrete sprawl of northern Rio de Janeiro, samba dancers and drummers fine-tune their rhythms for a grassroots carnival parade few tourists have heard of.

From Barron's ● Feb. 13, 2026

There came another shout, then the drummers started beating their snares.

From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson