tumbling barrel

noun

1. a rotating drum for subjecting materials or small manufactured objects, loosely placed inside, to a tumbling action, as to mix materials or to polish objects by friction with one another or with an abrasive.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tumbling barrel¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Then it’s back into Luhrmann’s tumbling barrel.

From Washington Post

After the boring and turning are done, they are smoothed by placing them into a tumbling barrel with soapstone.

From Project Gutenberg