1. the quality or characteristic of being percussive; the property of producing sharp, distinct sounds by striking or impact
Usage: commonly used in music and acoustics contexts
2. in music, the degree to which an instrument or sound emphasizes sharp, rhythmic attacks rather than sustained tones
Usage: music and audio production

Examples

• The percussiveness of the drum solo gave the performance an energetic, driving quality.
• Jazz musicians often appreciate the percussiveness of a well-tuned piano.
• The composer emphasized the percussiveness of the strings by using pizzicato techniques.
• The percussiveness of the snare drum cut through the orchestra's texture.
• Modern electronic music often relies on the percussiveness of synthesized sounds.
• The speaker's percussiveness—the sharp, clipped delivery—made her points memorable.