1An evening drum or bugle signal recalling soldiers to their quarters.

1. 1.1British An entertainment consisting of music, marching, and the performance of displays and exercises by military personnel.
   ‘a visit to Edinburgh during the Festival includes a visit to the Tattoo’
   More example sentences

   • ‘a crash involving two Russian jet fighters at the International Air Tattoo’
   • ‘While the band no longer performs at military tattoos, it is, on occasion, recalled to active duty.’
   • ‘He was thrown off his Honda then hit by another bike in front of hundreds of spectators at a military tattoo in West Bergholt.’
   • ‘The top of Blake Street was a wonderful vantage point for watching the many parades, processions and military tattoos that regularly took to the streets.’
   • ‘That is the dilemma facing Scottish pipe major Gordon MacKenzie as he prepares for a military tattoo to end all military tattoos - in the desert.’
   • ‘There will also be wreath-layings at three memorials to the fallen, in Arnhem, Oosterbeek and at Ginkel Heath, along with a military tattoo.’
   • ‘When the crew lost their training base in October 2000 they decided to raise funds for a more permanent base and so the idea of the military tattoo was born.’
   • ‘Chatham Navy Days was rounded off by a military tattoo in the Historic Dockyard, at which Prince Michael of Kent was the guest of honour.’
   • ‘Edinburgh can keep the military tattoo, all of the modern dance, and most of the London stand-up comedians.’
   • ‘You can watch the pipers' ankles swirl past at the military tattoo.’
   • ‘Pipe bands and military bands have also gone due to him, the very essence required for a military tattoo.’
   • ‘The term tattoo now refers to a military pageant, often held at night.’
   • ‘You often bump into visiting vets, middle-aged men with flabby muscles and military tattoos.’
   • ‘It is almost obligatory for any new Edinburgh resident to wax lyrical over the cultural backdrop that the castle, the festival and the tattoo give to the city.’
   • ‘Brigadier Melville Jameson, the chief executive and producer of the tattoo, said a condition of the appearance in Sydney was that a replica castle facade was built.’
   • ‘It stands on Castle Rock overlooking the city of Edinburgh and is approached across the Esplanade, the site of the annual military tattoo and other ceremonies.’
   • ‘Edinburgh's not the only city to boast an annual military tattoo.’
   • ‘He was at the base preparing to fly as an RAF aircraft passenger in a Queen's Golden Jubilee military tattoo.’
   • ‘‘Some members who have done the tattoo in Scotland have said that to do it in Australia is an even bigger honour,’ he said.’
   Synonyms

   festival, fiesta, fete, gala, jamboree, holiday, celebration, party

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2. 1.2A rhythmic tapping or drumming.
   ‘she tapped her fingers in a nervous tattoo’
   More example sentences

   • ‘All year long the war drums have been beating an insistent tattoo but recently the rhythm seemed to be leading nowhere.’
   • ‘My heart beat a nervous tattoo in my chest, the rest of my body frozen in place.’
   • ‘The vibrant music and the exhilarating beat of the tribals were infectious and soon many in the audience, including yours truly, were beating a tattoo on the floor.’
   • ‘He launches himself into my lap and rains kisses on me, his tail beating a tattoo on the arm of my chair.’
   • ‘My boots beat a tattoo against the flagstones on the bridge and the sounds of battle grew louder: the clashing of steel, the sound of battle cries and death screams.’
   • ‘Charles offered him a curt nod, before turning on his heel and briskly striding out, his polished black boots beating out a rapid tattoo on the varnished floor.’
   • ‘Alyssa's whole body was shuddering, and Pinine could almost hear her pulse beating out a frantic tattoo.’
   • ‘Rain fell steadily, beating a tattoo on the broad leaves of the tree above his head, like the relentless footsteps of an army of marching warriors.’
   • ‘The day dawned bright and and sunny, but Ethan was awakened by the sound of someone beating a tattoo on his door.’
   • ‘Someone started to knock on my door, beating out an incessant tattoo.’
   • ‘But to my surprise, instead he got out a battered pair of drumsticks, with which he beat a brief tattoo on the top of my head.’
   • ‘The endless sound echoed like thunderous footfalls, beating a tattoo on the inside of her skull.’
   • ‘The other beat an hypnotic tattoo to lure out their lunch.’
   • ‘Gradually the rigidity left his play and the trademark square cut began to beat out a tattoo.’
   • ‘All the time the falling water was beating a tattoo on my head and pouring down my neck.’
   • ‘His heart pounded quickly, beating out a fierce tattoo in his strong chest as he walked down the paths which wound and turned into dead ends.’
   • ‘But I'm already striding back to my apartment, my heart beating a mad tattoo inside my chest.’
   • ‘Her heart beats a purple tattoo in her throat and there's a stitch in her side.’
   • ‘My fingers drummed a steady tattoo on the desk, impatiently watching the clock as it took forever to tick over to 3: 15.’
   • ‘We spent the evening there, in her small attic room with rain drumming a staccato tattoo on the roof above and a small fire flickering in the grate.’
   Synonyms

   pitter-patter, tapping, pattering, drumming, drumbeat, clatter, beat, beating, tattoo, pounding, throb, pulsation, rat-a-tat, pit-a-pat, clack, click-clack, clacketing, thrum, thrumming

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1Mark (a part of the body) with an indelible design by inserting pigment into punctures in the skin.

1. 1.1Make (an indelible design) on a part of the body by inserting pigment into punctures in the skin.
   ‘he has a heart tattooed on his left hand’
   More example sentences

   • ‘He did everything short of tattooing the organization's logo on his forehead.’
   • ‘One of the drinkers at the bar informed me that Noi is a real butterfly; in fact she has the image of a small butterfly tattooed over her heart.’
   • ‘The little cross tattooed on my left hand is a memory of my Latino friends when I lived in Phoenix.’
   • ‘He has a tattoo on his left hand and a cross tattooed on one of his left fingers.’
   • ‘‘It's the only brand name riders will actually tattoo onto their arms,’ Ghattas goes on to indicate.’
   • ‘He may find himself wearing a pink triangle and a nifty new set of numbers tattooed to one of Iris arms.’
   • ‘He escaped lifelong identification as an SS member only because by late 1944 the regiments were no longer organised to carry out the customary process of tattooing conscripts' blood group on their arms.’
   • ‘Iverson famously gave himself the sobriquet ‘The Answer’, tattooing the words on his left arm for emphasis.’
   • ‘If this whole admission game does happen again, though, I plan on permanently tattooing the word REJECT on my forehead.’
   • ‘Rock stars are known by their tattoos, and even corporate chieftains proudly ink themselves, tattooing the logo of their brand into their skin as a permanent statement of brand loyalty.’
   • ‘Since he can make no new memories, meticulous note taking, taking Polaroid pictures, and tattooing important information to his body are Leonard's only way of remembering the past.’
   • ‘So, I've had conversations before about the probability that I could be paid to tattoo an advert onto my skin.’
   • ‘At twenty-one, Dami turned him into a vampire, and tattooed a red mark onto his forehead.’
   • ‘The real acid test: during the last two years how many of your customers have tattooed your brand on one of their biceps?’

A design made by tattooing.