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

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Etymology

Origin of drummer

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

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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

Earlier this year, the chair of the Featured Artists Coalition and Blur drummer David Rowntree told the BBC is was "virtually impossible now to make touring pay for itself".

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

Once the concert began, the band dedicated the show to the drummer: “This concert is for Deen. I think he’s going to be fine.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026

Journey drummer Deen Castronovo suffered an onstage medical emergency during a show this week.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026

He worked through the music of that first new release, joined by its quartet members: guitarist Max Light, bassist Walter Stinson and drummer Jon Starks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

“Don’t I wish I could go as a drummer, a vivan—what’s its name? Or a nurse, so I could be near him and help him,” exclaimed Jo, with a groan.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

You’ll have to ask the drummers — they set the tempo, and they get excited and it kind of ramps up.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

"The world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas. His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top," Gibbons said in a statement.

From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026

Streamer IShowSpeed took to the field at the New York New Jersey Stadium first, alongside drummers and dancers in vibrant tracksuits.

From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026

Do you build a song around his playing in a way that’s different from that of other drummers?

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 30, 2026

He lifted his hands and motioned for the drummers to continue.

From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah

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