percussion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Neutral, Technical
Quick answer
What does “percussion” mean?
The striking of one solid object against another to produce a sound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The striking of one solid object against another to produce a sound.
1) The musical instruments in an orchestra or band that are played by striking or shaking. 2) A method of medical examination involving tapping parts of the body to diagnose underlying conditions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
In both dialects, strongly associated with music and rhythm. The medical sense is universally technical.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects within musical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “percussion” in a Sentence
[play + percussion][feature + percussion][be + composed for + percussion]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “percussion” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form in common use]
American English
- [No standard verb form in common use]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- The percussion part was challenging.
- He is a percussion specialist.
American English
- The percussion section was loud.
- She took a percussion workshop.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
[Not typically used]
Academic
Used in musicology and ethnomusicology papers (e.g., 'The role of percussion in West African griot tradition').
Everyday
Talking about music (e.g., 'I love the percussion in this song').
Technical
Specific in music (orchestration) and medicine (chest percussion).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “percussion”
- Using 'percussion' as a countable noun for a single instrument (incorrect: 'a percussion'; correct: 'a percussion instrument').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily uncountable when referring to the instrument family or the sound ('The music has a lot of percussion'). It can be used countably in the phrase 'a percussion instrument'.
'Percussion' is the broader category including all struck/shaken instruments (xylophone, tambourine, cymbals). 'Drums' specifically refer to membranophones or idiophones with a drum-like shape.
No, 'percussion' is not a standard verb. The related verb is 'percuss', used almost exclusively in medical contexts (e.g., 'to percuss the chest').
The stress is on the second syllable: pər-KUH-shən. The first vowel is a schwa, and the 'c' is pronounced as 'k'.
The striking of one solid object against another to produce a sound.
Percussion is usually formal, neutral, technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for 'percussion' as a standalone word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PERCUSSIONist CONCUSSioning a drum – both involve a sharp impact.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERCUSSION IS IMPACT / PERCUSSION IS THE HEARTBEAT OF MUSIC.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is 'percussion' used as a diagnostic technique?