Definition of "tom-tom" [tom•-tom]

• Any of various small-headed drums, usually long and narrow, that are beaten with the hands. (noun)
• A monotonous rhythmical drumbeat or similar sound. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The shortcut may be setting yourself up for a trance by entrainment with a metronome-like pitter-patter of a tom-tom drum."
• "From his lead-singer position Mr. Clausen plays a tom-tom, a crash cymbal and an electronic drum pad, and frequently wanders over to bang on a drum kit with Mr. Husmer."
• "The stone came down with a thump on the white meat, and thereafter arose and fell in a sort of tom-tom accompaniment to the poet's song:"