Advertisement

Advertisement

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
“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


verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tom-tom1

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tom-tom1

C17: from Hindi tamtam, of imitative origin
Discover More

Example Sentences

Was it in the tented field With crash of sword on shield, While backward meaner champions reeled And loud the tom-tom pealed?

"Oh, Tom—Tom Slade——" he said, a feeling of great relief taking possession of him.

Read a paper of prodigious length; beat the tom-tom for nearly an hour.

In case of war, the whole country side can be quickly aroused, but the «tom-tom» is also used during peace as a telegraph.

Tim Tim and Tom Tom followed the sound of the answering call until they came to a beautiful woodland glade.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


tomtit-tomy