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

It also brings stellar guitar work, a new drummer and features Dulli’s vocals in a way you haven’t heard them previously.

From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026

The band, which now consists of Gibbons, bassist Elwood Francis and touring drummer Michael Monahan, has canceled dates in Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs after Beard's passing.

From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026

The veteran drummer had also missed shows because of an emergency appendectomy in 2002.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

Longtime ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has died aged 77, the band said.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

And any drummer who did come by was likely to get a good order.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

"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

"Not a single blow is random," he explains as a trio of craftsmen land expert strikes that create the darker more complex tones so prized by jazz drummers.

From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026

Still, with those Senegalese drummers, Mr. Gibbs felt lost.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026

“We have this lovely story celebrating Korean culture with authentic Korean drummers and singers and even choreography,” the producer said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 11, 2026

The music grew wilder, the drummers joined in, and-Hother Umber brought forth a huge curved warhom banded in silver.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin