DRONING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does droning mean? 

• DRONING (noun)
  The noun DRONING has 1 sense:

1. an unchanging intonation

  Familiarity information: DRONING used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DRONING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An unchanging intonation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

drone; droning; monotone

Hypernyms ("droning" is a kind of...):

intonation; modulation; pitch contour (rise and fall of the voice pitch)

Derivation:

drone (talk in a monotonous voice)

drone (make a monotonous low dull sound)

 Context examples 

Amid the droning of the wind there had come the stamping of a horse’s hoofs, and the long grind of a wheel as it rasped against the curb.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got beyond words.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“David,” said Mr. Murdstone, “to the young this is a world for action; not for moping and droning in.” —“As you do,” added his sister.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Someone was singing, a dull, old, droning sailor's song, with a droop and a quaver at the end of every verse, and seemingly no end to it at all but the patience of the singer.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

I was reading that everlasting Belsham, and droning away as I always do, for Aunt soon drops off, and then I take out some nice book, and read like fury till she wakes up.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The droning sound swelled louder upon our ears until it became one long, deep wail of distress.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I say, David, to the young this is a world for action, and not for moping and droning in.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

It was droning like a harmonium with the flies and bluebottles, and the floor and walls were like a slaughter-house.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)