drum roll
Announcement buildup sound
A drum roll is a sustained sound produced by rapidly alternating drumsticks on a drum, creating a continuous rumble.
Drum rolls build anticipation before announcements, climactic moments, or punchlines: And the winner is—drum roll, please—Sarah Chen!
The phrase often appears figuratively to signal that something dramatic or important follows.
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- tensionStretched or strained state
- buildupGradual accumulation over time
- expectationBelief about future outcomes
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
countdown · awaiting · prelude · leadup · imminence · edge-of-seat · bated breath · mounting
Ceremonial brass announcement
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
- revealMake something visible
- unveilingAct of first revealing
- proclamationFormal public announcement
herald · declaration · presenter · emcee · spotlight · grand entrance · ta-da · voila
Device for catching prey
- sticksSlender wood pieces
- rudimentBasic element of knowledge
- tattooPermanent dermal design
- paradiddleDrum sticking pattern
tremolo · timpani · rattle · cadence · rhythmic · military · marching band · orchestral
Formal honors bestowed
- winnerOne who prevails
- envelopeFolded paper enclosure
- podiumRaised platform for speakers
- stageRaised performance platform
coronation · inauguration · graduation · commencement · pageantry · gala · honors · trophy
suspense
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- tensionStretched or strained state
- buildupGradual accumulation over time
- expectationBelief about future outcomes
excitement · countdown · awaiting · prelude · leadup · imminence · edge-of-seat · bated breath · mounting · crescendo
fanfare
Ceremonial brass announcement
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
- revealMake something visible
- unveilingAct of first revealing
proclamation · herald · declaration · presenter · emcee · spotlight · grand entrance · ta-da · voila · flourish
snare
Device for catching prey
paradiddle · tremolo · timpani · rattle · cadence · rhythmic · military · marching band · orchestral · concert
awards
Formal honors bestowed
stage · coronation · inauguration · graduation · commencement · pageantry · gala · honors · trophy · medal
- things that rollball, wheel, tire, log, boulder
- drum techniquesparadiddle, flam, double stroke, single stroke, ghost note
- rhythmbeat, pulse, tempo, downbeat, upbeat
- ceremonieswedding ceremony, wedding, weddings, graduation, graduations
- festive soundsapplause, cheering, cheers, clapping, fanfare
- sound effectssound effects, sound effect, ringtone, boing, crash
drum rollrimshot
Percussive joke closer
punchline · reveal · ba dum tss · cymbal crash · fanfare
drum rollsilence
Total lack of sound
anticlimax · cold open · dead air · whimper
roll, drum, rolled, rolling, roller, drumming, drummer, drumstick, drummed