drumbeat

noun

drum·​beat ˈdrəm-ˌbēt How to pronounce drumbeat (audio)
Synonyms of drumbeatnext
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 How to pronounce drumbeat (audio)
noun
drumbeating
ˈdrəm-ˌbē-tiŋ How to pronounce drumbeat (audio)
noun

Synonyms of drumbeat

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The powerful Florida Sheriff’s Association is the latest group to criticize the November ballot measure to roll back property taxes, joining what has been a drumbeat of opposition from law enforcement and first responder organizations. — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026 Most of the angst about this collapse is coming from the media, and in this market, that isn’t exactly a deafening drumbeat. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 July 2026 These latest cuts add to a drumbeat of job losses across the Bay Area and Silicon Valley. — Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 The allegation was just part of a drumbeat of US criticism over the cartels’ political protection rackets. — Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for drumbeat

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of drumbeat was in 1817

Rhymes for drumbeat

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Browse Nearby Words

drum armature
drumbeat
drumbeater
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drumbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drumbeat. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

drumbeat

noun
drum·​beat ˈdrəm-ˌbēt How to pronounce drumbeat (audio)
: a stroke on a drum or its sound

More from Merriam-Webster on drumbeat

Nglish: Translation of drumbeat for Spanish Speakers

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