noun
drum
A cylindrical container or mechanical part.
The workers store used oil in a sealed metal drum.
Etymology
The name of the percussion instrument was transferred to objects sharing its rounded cylindrical shape. Containers and rotating machine parts can therefore be called drums.
More examples
- We keep the grain in plastic drums with tight lids.
- The dryer’s drum turns slowly as the clothes tumble.
- The mechanic replaces a worn brake drum.
Forms
drum · drums