(~s, ~ming, ~med)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ is a musical instrument consisting of a skin stretched tightly over a round frame. You play a ~ by beating it with sticks or with your hands.
N-COUNT: oft the N
2.
A ~ is a large cylindrical container which is used to store fuel or other substances.
...an oil ~.
N-COUNT: usu with supp
3.
If something ~s on a surface, or if you ~ something on a surface, it hits it regularly, making a continuous beating sound.
He ~med his fingers on the leather top of his desk...
Rain ~med on the roof of the car.
VERB: V n on/against n, V on n
4.
see also ~ming
5.
If someone beats the ~ or bangs the ~ for something, they support it strongly.
PHRASE: V inflects