drumbeat

noun

drum·​beat ˈdrəm-ˌbēt 

1

: a stroke on a drum or its sound

also : a series of such strokes

2

: vociferous advocacy of a cause

3

: drumfire sense 2

drumbeater

ˈdrəm-ˌbē-tər 

noun

drumbeating

ˈdrəm-ˌbē-tiŋ 

noun

Synonyms

• barrage
• blitz
• blitzkrieg
• bombardment
• cannonade
• drumfire
• flurry
• fusillade
• hail
• salvo
• shower
• storm
• volley

Examples of drumbeat in a Sentence

I could hear the drumbeat of a parade down the street.

a dizzying drumbeat of interviews in the hours following her winning of the Academy Award

Recent Examples on the Web

Someone made a drumbeat on the table with their fists. —Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025

Others may have slipped under the radar, drowned out by the drumbeat of breaking news. —Jta Staff Report, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2025

The drumbeat of attacks on election integrity in the years since has taken a toll, with polling showing a sharp partisan divide in whether Americans have faith in the electoral process. —Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024

The anti-fluoride drumbeat has become louder in recent years. —Erika Edwards, NBC News, 23 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

drumbeat

noun

drum·​beat ˈdrəm-ˌbēt 

: a stroke on a drum or its sound