percussion

American  

[per-kuhsh-uhn] / pərˈkʌʃ ən /

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.

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percussion British  

/ 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

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percussion Cultural  

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.)

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Other Word Forms

• percussional adjective

Etymology

Origin of percussion

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

Example Sentences

The percussion pounds like nobody’s business, opening the score up to all the implied emotion and glitter on an over-stuffed stage.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026

The chord progression and clattery percussion on “Dead Women” evoke “Lay Lady Lay,” while Mitski’s song imagines someone pawing through her things after death, trying to uncover her secrets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

As a passionate bandleader, Sahad was not just on vocals but also guitar and percussion.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

Sandy percussion accompanies a journey up the Orinoco River.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

“We have a very nice selection of percussion instruments.”

From "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio