tom-tom

noun

ˈtäm-ˌtäm  ˈtəm-ˌtəm 

1

: a usually long and narrow small-headed drum commonly beaten with the hands

2

old-fashioned : tam-tam sense 2

3

a

: something used to make a noise suggestive of the tom-tom's beating

b

: a monotonous beating, rhythm, or rhythmical sound

4

or less commonly tom : a cylindrical two-headed drum of varying size often used in pairs in drum sets

Illustration of tom-tom

• tom-tom 1

Examples of tom-tom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Peart quickly became known as one of the fastest and most technically proficient drummers in rock, commanding a huge battery of cymbals and tom-toms and injecting Rush’s music with complex polyrhythms and tempo changes. —Al Shipley, SPIN, 12 Feb. 2025

The performers manipulate five batteries of drums, including timpani, snares, congas, bongos, tom-toms, and bass drums. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025

Even then, the casual denigration of Native American characters who were depicted in the script as playing tom-toms, holding powwows and speaking in pidgin English raised eyebrows. —Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 21 Feb. 2024

But there’s always been the Beatle tom-toms, and even in those days, people were communicating with each other about their dissatisfactions. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 7 May 2024

Fertile fields that once knew the beat of tom-toms still hold beneath a carpet of blue grass, the bones of an ancient and extinct race. —Bill Frist, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024

In full concentration mode, Agustín handled the bass pedal and toms with aplomb, crossed his hands for some flair, and added some razzle dazzle with the cymbals, without missing a beat. —Leila Cobo, Billboard, 18 June 2023

Each songs’ atmosphere is inaugurated by an extended instrumental piece that builds and builds, as compulsive bass hooks, thunderous toms, haunting guitar lines and swathes of cold synth artfully set the stage for Smith’s ghostly vocal. —Liza Lentini, SPIN, 16 June 2023

The 85% adult tom proportion of the harvest was up two points over 2022 and in line with the average over the last decade, according to the DNR. —Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 10 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

Hindi & Urdu ṭamṭam

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tom-tom

noun

ˈtäm-ˌtäm,

ˈtəm-ˌtəm

: a usually long and narrow drum commonly beaten with the hands