kettledrum

[ ket-l-druhm ]

noun

1. a drum consisting of a hollow hemisphere of brass, copper, or fiberglass over which is stretched a skin, the tension of which can be modified by hand screws or foot pedals to vary the pitch.

kettledrum

/ ˈkɛtəlˌdrʌm /

noun

1. a percussion instrument of definite pitch, consisting of a hollow bowl-like hemisphere covered with a skin or membrane, supported on a tripod or stand. The pitch may be adjusted by means of screws or pedals, which alter the tension of the skin

kettledrum

1. A drum consisting of a skin stretched over a large shell in the shape of a half-sphere. The pitch of the kettledrum can be changed by manipulating screws at the edge of the skin or pedals at the bottom of the drum. Kettledrums are usually used in classical music in sets of two or more and are known by their Italian name, timpani .

Derived Forms

• ˈkettleˌdrummer, noun

Other Words From

• kettle·drummer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of kettledrum¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; kettle + drum ¹

Example Sentences

The drummer was banging his biggest kettledrum to make it sound like a rumbling cannon.

From Literature

To hear him talk, you'd think I'd been playing the kettledrum.

From Literature

Writing in the Bauhaus Journal, he said that each production required an “appropriate aural expression,” but added, “For the time being, such simple stimulators as the gong and the kettledrum are enough.”

From New York Times

In 1853, a kettledrum was introduced.

From The New Yorker

The kettledrum thump of the furnace kicking on.

From Los Angeles Times