percussion

noun

per·​cus·​sion pər-ˈkə-shən 

1

: the act of percussing: such as

a

: the striking of a percussion cap so as to set off the charge in a firearm

b

: the beating or striking of a musical instrument

c

: the act or technique of tapping the surface of a body part to learn the condition of the parts beneath by the resultant sound

2

: the striking of sound on the ear

3

: percussion instruments that form a section of a band or orchestra

percussion adjective

Examples of percussion in a Sentence

He plays percussion for the band.

The marimba is a percussion instrument.

Recent Examples on the Web

And really, as Centre Pointe teacher Anne O’Brien pointed out, tap is the form of dance that is closest to music; the sound of dozens of metal taps striking wooden floor boards simultaneously is as much a form of percussion as the beat of a drum. —Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 20 Dec. 2024

This massage gun can help relieve them with its rotating percussion arm and ergonomic grip for personalized muscle treatments. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 12 Dec. 2024

With its explosive blend of Afro-Cuban percussion, horns, and pop melodies, the song became a universal dancefloor favorite. —Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 6 Dec. 2024

It’s certainly set up for comfort: Laura Marling’s eighth album is stripped down and devoid of percussion. —Pitchfork, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French percussioun, from Latin percussion-, percussio, from percutere to beat, from per- thoroughly + quatere to shake

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing percussion

• on percussion
• percussion cap
• percussion instrument
• percussion section

Kids Definition

percussion

noun

per·​cus·​sion pər-ˈkəsh-ən 

1

: the act of tapping sharply

especially : the striking of a percussion cap so as to set off the charge in a firearm

2

: the striking of sound sharply on the ear

Medical Definition

percussion

noun

per·​cus·​sion pər-ˈkəsh-ən 

1

: the act or technique of tapping the surface of a body part to learn the condition of the parts beneath by the resulting sound

2

: massage consisting of the striking of a body part with light rapid blows

called also tapotement