tom-tom

American  

[tom-tom] / ˈtɒmˌtɒm /

noun

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

2. a dully repetitious drumbeat or similar sound.

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tom-tom British  

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

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verb

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

Etymology

Origin of tom-tom

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

Example Sentences

So the repeating tom-tom pulse in “No Reply,” when paired with his half-spoken delivery, brings to mind a digital grid mapped to an atomic clock where every element is locked into place.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 21, 2025

Try to imagine the Beatles' "Come Together" without Ringo's innovative tom-tom roll.

From Salon • Nov. 22, 2021

It is very clear here, a song about alienation and electro-convulsive therapy, vocals hidden amid trebly, reverb-heavy guitars, drums heavy on tom-tom thunder.

From The Guardian • May 21, 2020

He also said it was necessary for the conductor to tune all the tom-tom drums together with the instruments’ players at least an hour before the performance, and asked if Mr. Rattle had done so.

From New York Times • Jun. 29, 2018

He liked the grunting that belched deep from Boom Box’s gut like a tom-tom.

From "Clayton Byrd Goes Underground" by Rita Williams-Garcia