tom-tom

[tom-tom]

noun

1. a drum of American Indian or Asian origin, commonly played with the hands.

2. a dully repetitious drumbeat or similar sound.

tom-tom

noun

1. a drum associated either with the American Indians or with Eastern cultures, usually beaten with the hands as a signalling instrument

2. a standard cylindrical drum, normally with one drumhead

3. a monotonous drumming or beating sound

verb

1. informal,  (tr) to pass (information, esp gossip) around a community very quickly

Word History and Origins

Origin of tom-tom¹

First recorded in 1685–95, tom-tom is from the Hindi word ṭamṭam

Word History and Origins

Origin of tom-tom¹

C17: from Hindi tamtam, of imitative origin