drummer

American  

[druhm-er] / ˈdrʌm ər /

noun

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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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

When guitarist Khn de Poitrine and drummer Klek de Poitrine perform live, they make triangle shapes with their hands and screech unintelligibly.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026

For all of this weekend's games, he takes on two Manchester City fans - frontman and guitarist Tom Ogden and drummer Joe Donovan from indie band Blossoms - and a Chelsea supporter - rapper Songer.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

They added the drummer and began blending acoustic music with electronic sounds, some of which were altered fragments of what Messrs. Moran and Gilmore had just played.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

It’s the most recognizable feel of any drummer.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

Sure enough, the drummer, the Thug guy, started acting like he was writing stuff down on a piece of pretend paper.

From "Bud, Not Buddy" by Christopher Paul Curtis