snare drum

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noun

a small double-headed drum, carried at the side or placed on a stationary stand, having snares across the lower head to produce a rattling or reverberating effect.

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Also called side drum.

Origin of snare drum

First recorded in 1870–75

Words nearby snare drum

snap someone's head off, snaptin, snap to, snap up, snare, snare drum, snarf, snark, snarky, snarl, snarler

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use snare drum in a sentence

For a few seconds, the parade marched on, the roll of snare drums, the chatter of children, the footsteps of the band members lingering in the air.
At a Christmas parade, ‘Comfort and Joy’ turns to carnage and fear: ‘There were bodies all over the street’|Marc Fisher, Kim Bellware, Joanna Slater, Mark Guarino|November 23, 2021|Washington Post
It offers a utility in its aura — of tastefulness, of craftsmanship, of its knowledge of cool and unimpeachable things, including Otis Redding’s growl and the RZA’s snare drum sounds.
Album of the year is the Grammy that nobody deserves to win|Chris Richards|March 12, 2021|Washington Post
Even his signature instrument, Auto-Tune, has become as accepted an ingredient in hip-hop as the drum machine.
Future Makes Us Rethink Everything We Thought We Knew About Rap Artists|Luke Hopping|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One man, straddling a large drum, keeps time as their voices rise in song: “Believe it, people, Ebola can kill.”
Meet the Liberian Girls Beating Ebola|Abby Haglage|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

They marched through the streets of downtown New York to the synchronized beats of the Continental drum corps that followed.
New York’s Century-Old Time Capsule Is a Dud|Justin Jones|October 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Still more keys engage an array of other sounds, from snare drums and cymbals to awooga horns and sirens.
How to Save Silent Movies: Inside New Jersey’s Cinema Paradiso|Rich Goldstein|October 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It sounds familiar—right down to the media drum beat to lower physician pay.
Will US Health Care Follow in China’s Bloody Footsteps?|Daniela Drake|September 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Consult not with him that layeth a snare for thee, and hide thy counsel from them that envy thee.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
Roulard had played the trumpet in the regimental band in which Aristide had played the kettle drum.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
There a familiar sound met his ears—the roll of a drum followed by an incantation in a quavering, high-pitched voice.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
"I wonder if 'twas a brass drum, such as has 'Eblubust Unum' printed on't," said Mrs. Slocum.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
His arm was drawn around the drum, and finally his whole body was drawn over the shaft, at a fearful rate.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various

British Dictionary definitions for snare drum

snare drum

noun

music a cylindrical drum with two drumheads, the upper of which is struck and the lower fitted with a snareSee snare 2

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for snare drum

snare drum

A shallow cylindrical drum, with wires or pieces of catgut (snares) stretched across the bottom skin to give a sharp, rattling sound when the top skin is struck. Snare drums are used in orchestras and in nearly all kinds of bands.