drummer

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a person who plays a drum or a drum kit

   The drummer counted in the song with four sharp taps.

2. 2
   noun

   historical: a military musician who transmitted signals and kept marching time with a drum

   The regiment's drummer sounded the order to advance.

3. 3
   noun

   any of several fishes that make a drumming or croaking sound

   The angler caught a drummer near the rocky reef.

Formed from drum + -er, naming one who plays the instrument. Military drummers once carried commands across battlefields and set marching pace, which underlies figurative phrases about following a different drummer. The fish sense comes independently from the drumming sounds made by members of several fish families.

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