percussion

noun

per·​cus·​sion pər-ˈkə-shən How to pronounce percussion (audio)
1
: the act of percussing: such as
a
: the striking of a percussion cap so as to set off the charge in a firearm
b
: the beating or striking of a musical instrument
c
: the act or technique of tapping the surface of a body part to learn the condition of the parts beneath by the resultant sound
2
: the striking of sound on the ear
3
: percussion instruments that form a section of a band or orchestra
percussion adjective

Examples of percussion in a Sentence

He plays percussion for the band. The marimba is a percussion instrument.
Recent Examples on the Web The special collaboration begins with vibrant trumpets and rhythmic percussion, and brings together both genres’ energetic rhythms and soulful melodies. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2024 Over the past five decades, Kahil eschewed the traditional jazz ensemble in favor of groups comprising mainly percussion, horns, and reeds. Shannon J. Effinger, SPIN, 13 Mar. 2024 Interestingly, there are no drums or percussion in the score. Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024 Soon, the sounds of keyboards, standup bass and percussion echoed from down the long hallway. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024 Come out to the Civic Center Library to dance, sing, celebrate and be transported across the globe through the sounds of drums and percussion. Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2024 Callahan’s baritone vocals get enough high-mid presence to sound crisp, while the acoustic strums and higher-register percussion are bright. PCMAG, 5 Feb. 2024 This rollicking barnburner of a track is a lyrical confection, but rocks with driving percussion and sizzling fiddle. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2024 Redmond is especially good at capturing the uncertain energy between strangers, a tension suspended in long lines of woodwind, blinks of piano, nervous pulses of percussion. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 21 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'percussion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French percussioun, from Latin percussion-, percussio, from percutere to beat, from per- thoroughly + quatere to shake

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of percussion was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near percussion

Cite this Entry

“Percussion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/percussion. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

percussion

noun
per·​cus·​sion pər-ˈkəsh-ən How to pronounce percussion (audio)
1
: the act of tapping sharply
especially : the striking of a percussion cap so as to set off the charge in a firearm
2
: the striking of sound sharply on the ear

Medical Definition

percussion

noun
per·​cus·​sion pər-ˈkəsh-ən How to pronounce percussion (audio)
1
: the act or technique of tapping the surface of a body part to learn the condition of the parts beneath by the resulting sound
2
: massage consisting of the striking of a body part with light rapid blows

called also tapotement

More from Merriam-Webster on percussion

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