rim shot

Or rim·shot

[rim shot]

noun

1. a drum beat made by hitting the rim and the head of a drum with a drumstick at the same time.

   A rim shot can be used to add a more driving beat to the song.

2. the sound of a beat struck on both the rim and head of a drum followed by a cymbal crash, used to signal that a joke has been made, as on a television program.

   The movie wisely acknowledges that the laughs are better served with a wink and a nod than a rim shot and a laugh track.

3. Basketball.,  a shot that touches the rim of the hoop.

   A rim shot that didn't land lost them the game.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rim shot¹

First recorded in 1930–35; 1940–45 rim shot for def. 3