percussion

[ per-kuhsh-uhn ]

noun

1. the striking of one body against another with some sharpness; impact; blow.
2. Medicine/Medical. the striking or tapping of the surface of a part of the body for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
3. the striking of a musical instrument to produce tones.
4. Music.
   1. the section of an orchestra or band comprising the percussion instruments.
   2. the percussion instruments themselves.
5. a sharp blow for detonating a percussion cap or the fuze of an artillery shell.
6. the striking of sound on the ear.
7. the act of percussing.

percussion

/ pəˈkʌʃən /

noun

1. the act, an instance, or an effect of percussing
2. music the family of instruments in which sound arises from the striking of materials with sticks, hammers, or the hands
3. music
   1. instruments of this family constituting a section of an orchestra, band, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      a percussion ensemble

4. med the act of percussing a body surface
5. the act of exploding a percussion cap

percussion

1. A family of musical instruments played by striking their surfaces. Percussion instruments are used to accentuate and dramatize certain notes or rhythms and include instruments such as cymbals , drums, triangles, and xylophones. ( See kettledrum , snare drum , and orchestra .)

Other Words From

• per·cussion·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of percussion¹

1535–45; < Latin percussiōn- (stem of percussiō ) a beating. See percuss, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of percussion¹

C16: from Latin percussiō, from percutere to hit; see percuss

Example Sentences

That theme — later orchestrated with a buzzing hive of strings, solo clarinet, piano and percussion — became the soul of the whole score.

From Los Angeles Times

“Tomorrow,” after intermission, contained 24 blissful minutes of bass, percussion, flute, guitar and vocal noodling over a recorded soundscape of environmental noise.

From Los Angeles Times

The rainforest envelopes all, the orchestra percussion rich and curious.

From Los Angeles Times

Lane’s silken vocals are decorated by strings and hand percussion on “What’s on My Mind,” a reckoning of the ways that possessing both good and bad feelings make you whole.

From Los Angeles Times

Musicians coped with a byzantine backstage area that felt like a cramped obstacle course, with percussion instruments piled in a corner.

From Los Angeles Times