percussion
noun
per·cus·sion
pər-ˈkə-shən 
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
Supplemental unsolicited percussion was provided by the audience, who dropped no less than five phones on the floor at adventurously arrhythmic intervals throughout the performance.
—
Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 22 June 2024
One of the students involved in the residency is Laika P. Choi, a fifth-year percussion performance major in SMTD.
—Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 11 June 2024
The only other work on Thursday’s program, Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7, poses its own percussion question: to cymbal crash or not to cymbal crash?
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2024
Now Both Zak and Jason Starkey inherited the Beatles drummer’s talents for percussion.
—John Russell, Peoplemag, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for percussion 
Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 22 June 2024
One of the students involved in the residency is Laika P. Choi, a fifth-year percussion performance major in SMTD.
—Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 11 June 2024
The only other work on Thursday’s program, Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7, poses its own percussion question: to cymbal crash or not to cymbal crash?
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2024
Now Both Zak and Jason Starkey inherited the Beatles drummer’s talents for percussion.
—John Russell, Peoplemag, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for percussion
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.
Dictionary Entries Near percussion
Cite this Entry
“Percussion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/percussion. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
percussion
noun
per·cus·sion
pər-ˈkəsh-ən
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
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share