French word

tambour

Pronunciation

IPA/tɑ̃buʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine noundrum

Example

Les enfants apprennent à jouer du tambour.

The children are learning to play the drum.

Illustration for tambour (drum)

More examples

Le tambour de la machine à laver est rouillé.

The washing machine drum is rusty.

Core concept

A percussion instrument whose taut membrane turns repeated blows into a clear marching rhythm.

Common phrases

  • le tambour de la machine à laver

    washing machine drum

  • son de tambour

    drum sound

Similar words

instrument: A tool used in a musical performance to produce sound.
percussion: A family of instruments that produce sound when struck by hand or with a stick.

Definition in French

Désigne un instrument de percussion constitué d'un corps et d'une peau tendue que l'on frappe pour marquer le rythme, souvent utilisé dans les musiques traditionnelles et militaires.

Word origin

The word came into French through medieval forms related to Italian tamburo and ultimately traces back to Persian tanbur.

Usage tips

  • The expression mener tambour battant means to pursue something with great speed and energy, not literally to lead a beating drum.

Related words

Word lists with this word