drum machine

noun

: an electronic device that simulates the sound of drums

Examples of drum machine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Drummer Greg Errico had gotten fed up with the discord within the group and left earlier in ’71 midway through the Riot recording; rather than immediately replace him with a new stickman, Stone decided to fill out the remaining tracks with the rudimentary early drum machine and its genre presets. Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 13 June 2025 Hay was fiddling with the drum machine and keyboard. Kate Knibbs, Wired News, 20 May 2025 Breland also noted that the genre has expanded from just doing things like adding trap music-friendly sounds from Roland TR-808 drum machines. Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 The partners worked closely with the couple to ensure there was room for readings and concerts; storage for Char’s cello, violin, and piano and Neely-Cohen’s synthesizers and drum machines; and an elaborate house Char had built for her snowshoe cat, Detective. Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drum machine

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of drum machine was in 1976

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drum machine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drum%20machine. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!