drumbeat

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

drumbeater

2 of 2

noun (2)

: one that beats the drum for an idea, doctrine, or policy : a vociferous supporter of a cause
drumbeater for U.S. intervention in World War II—Ralph de Toledano

Synonyms of drumbeat

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Noun (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of drumbeat in a Sentence

Noun (1) 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.
Noun
In September 2022 these were augmented with a steadily rising drumbeat of Shahed drones, first tens, then hundreds, now thousands. — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for drumbeat

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1950, in the meaning defined above

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 12 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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