drumhead

noun

drum·​head ˈdrəm-ˌhed How to pronounce drumhead (audio)
1
: the material (such as skin or plastic) stretched over one or both ends of a drum
2
: the top of a capstan that is pierced with sockets for the levers used in turning it

Examples of drumhead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web With membrane and magnet in place over the cup, the finished device is like a tiny kettledrum: Thump on it, and the drumhead vibrates. IEEE Spectrum, 28 Mar. 2024 These acted much like drumheads that vibrate after getting struck. IEEE Spectrum, 26 Apr. 2023 On the hide drumhead of death. The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2022 The band would find unconventional ways to play instruments—pulling masking tape off a drumhead, running a metal file across electric-guitar strings—make music with random objects and use Basquiat’s poetry as lyrics. Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2022 The court in Ashe Stadium stayed dry as torrential rain pounded on its drumhead of a closed roof. New York Times, 1 Sep. 2021 The recipes that began arriving were indeed simple and quick to make—time being stretched tight as a drumhead for all parents. Joshua David Stein, WSJ, 25 June 2021 There’s also a drumhead with ephemera signed by Foo Fighters. Paul Grein, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2021 Bongo: More musical than a tin can or the back of a frying pan, McFadden says a drumhead will deliver rhythm but not melody. oregonlive, 13 Apr. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'drumhead.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of drumhead was in 1580

Dictionary Entries Near drumhead

Cite this Entry

“Drumhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drumhead. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

drumhead

noun
drum·​head -ˌhed How to pronounce drumhead (audio)
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