percussion

[ per-kuhsh-uhn ]

noun

1. the striking of one body against another with some sharpness; impact; blow.
2. Medicine/Medical. the striking or tapping of the surface of a part of the body for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
3. the striking of a musical instrument to produce tones.
4. Music.
   1. the section of an orchestra or band comprising the percussion instruments.
   2. the percussion instruments themselves.
5. a sharp blow for detonating a percussion cap or the fuze of an artillery shell.
6. the striking of sound on the ear.
7. the act of percussing.

percussion

/ pəˈkʌʃən /

noun

1. the act, an instance, or an effect of percussing
2. music the family of instruments in which sound arises from the striking of materials with sticks, hammers, or the hands
3. music
   1. instruments of this family constituting a section of an orchestra, band, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      a percussion ensemble

4. med the act of percussing a body surface
5. the act of exploding a percussion cap

percussion

1. A family of musical instruments played by striking their surfaces. Percussion instruments are used to accentuate and dramatize certain notes or rhythms and include instruments such as cymbals , drums, triangles, and xylophones. ( See kettledrum , snare drum , and orchestra .)

Other Words From

• per·cussion·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of percussion¹

1535–45; < Latin percussiōn- (stem of percussiō ) a beating. See percuss, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of percussion¹

C16: from Latin percussiō, from percutere to hit; see percuss

Example Sentences

A slow, dynamic swell, Sara Bareilles’ “City” is one of those tracks where, as the percussion amplifies and the range expands, I find myself involuntarily swept up in it.

From Popular-Science

However, some use percussion to press into hard knots to relax the muscle.

From Popular-Science

It features 6 speeds for maximum treatment options, and the built-in percussions are scientifically formulated to optimize the effectiveness of pain relief, enhanced performance, and accelerated muscle recovery.

From Popular-Science

The massage felt a bit ­superficial—more vibration than percussion.

From Outside Online

While we’re pushing forward, they’re shooting us with percussion grenades.

From ProPublica

Still others, especially the percussion instruments, are struck by hammers that move when the air pressure changes.

From The Daily Beast

It runs as a polyphonic symphony compared to the simple percussion section of the heart or the synchronized cellos of the liver.

From The Daily Beast

The percussion rolls like thunder, the woodwinds climax, the camera swoops upward, and we see the brass plaque: The Olive Garden.

From The Daily Beast

I brought down 100 music recorders and various percussion instruments.

From The Daily Beast

A machine for making percussion caps was patented by John Abraham in 1864.

From Project Gutenberg

The carbon dioxid evolved distends the stomach, and its outline can easily be determined by percussion.

From Project Gutenberg

In these instruments fully one-third of the speaking stops rely on percussion for production of their tones.

From Project Gutenberg

The Indians have only old percussion-cap rifles, and not too many of them.

From Project Gutenberg

And finally, an ironmonger will sell you anything but a bath, while he thrives on a lively trade in percussion-caps and gunpowder.

From Project Gutenberg