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

As he acknowledges, the Foo Fighters' story was forged in tragedy, and Your Favourite Toy is the band's second release since the death of their beloved drummer Taylor Hawkins in 2022.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

Up next were The Doors, who were represented by drummer John Densmore.

From Salon • Apr. 20, 2026

This elicits a slow drip of sarcasm from Catherine, who eventually gets Hal to confess that he’s the drummer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

After a quiet period for the band, as drummer Larry Mullen Jr recovered from neck surgery, the two EPs follow confirmation last year that a new studio album is being recorded.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 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