Kettledrum

Alternative forms

• kettle drum

Origin

kettle + drum

Full definition of kettledrum

Noun

1. (musici) A large hemispherical brass percussion instrument (one of the timpani) with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting its tension.
2. (dated) An informal social party at which a light collation is offered, held in the afternoon or early evening.

Synonyms

• timpanum