Percussion

/pərˈkʌʃən/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The striking of one body against another; a musical form in which sound is produced by striking instruments.

The orchestra included a wide range of percussion instruments like drums and cymbals.

The act of hitting or striking an object to produce sound.

During the lesson, the teacher demonstrated the percussion of the xylophone.

A method of physical examination of the body by tapping on its surface.

The doctor used percussion to check for fluid in the patient's lungs.

From Latin 'percussio', meaning 'a striking'.

percussionist

A person who plays percussion instruments.

percussive sound

A sound produced by striking, typical of percussion instruments.

percussion ensemble

A group of musicians who play percussion instruments.

drum

A percussion instrument that produces sound by being struck.

cymbal

A thin, circular plate of brass that produces a loud sound when struck.

marimba

A percussion instrument consisting of wooden bars struck with mallets.

A loud or striking performance.

That party was a total percussion, everybody was dancing!

A heavy impact or collision.

The car crash was a percussion that startled everyone nearby.