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)

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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
There persists a steady drumbeat of concern Russia might open a new front in Europe. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 Inside the building, the rhythm of an African drumbeat pulsated a few rows of the upper deck, the fans there draped by the flag of Ghana. — Sam McDowell July 3, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026 But the reality is with all the changes to the mainstream media, that Trump negative drumbeat is getting fainter and fainter. — Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 18 June 2026 But Collins’ numbers improved slightly after the drumbeat of Platner stories, said one attendee. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 10 June 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

See All Rhymes for drumbeat

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 7 Jul. 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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