snare drum

noun

: a small double-headed drum with one or more snares stretched across its lower head see drum illustration

Examples of snare drum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ There really aren’t many ways to screw up a straightforward ballad that needs only a rolling snare drum as required instrumentation, but leave it to the Simpson sisters circa 2004 to burn it all down. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024

Williams was fortunate to have adults who recognized his potential at practically every step, from the grandmother who gifted him a snare drum to producer Teddy Riley, who opened Future Records across the street from Williams’ high school, where Timbaland and Missy Elliott were also students. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 1 Oct. 2024

Its cylindrical body, usually made of wood or metal, is covered with a ridge-like or serrated surface, which allows a musician to scrape its sides to create a sound comparable to that of a snare drum. —Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024

Shawn Pelton, longtime drummer and percussionist for the SNL house band, was spotted playing snare drum. —Sean Piccoli, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1859, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

snare drum

noun

: a small two-headed drum that can be worn at the side while marching and that has a band of snares stretched across the lower head to rattle when the head vibrates to give the drum its special sound