1. a musician who plays the kettledrum; a timpani player.
Usage: also called a timpanist; common in orchestral and military contexts

Examples

• The kettledrummer sat behind the timpani, ready to mark the dramatic moments in the symphony.
• The orchestra's principal kettledrummer had decades of experience with classical and contemporary works.
• During the military parade, the kettledrummer provided the rhythmic foundation for the brass section.
• She trained as a kettledrummer at the conservatory, mastering both technique and musicality.
• The kettledrummer's precise rolls added texture to the percussion ensemble.