Drom

Drom is a term that appears primarily in Gaelic toponymy and, less commonly, as a proper noun in English-language contexts. In Irish place-names, drom is linked to the underlying word druim, which means ridge, back, or crest. Through anglicization and regional pronunciation, druim has yielded multiple English renderings, including drum and drom. As a toponymic element, drom signals a geographic feature at a raised or elevated part of the landscape, often describing a ridge or crest along a terrain feature and sometimes indicating routes or boundaries that run along higher ground.

The use of drom in place names reflects Gaelic-speaking settlement patterns across Ireland and in areas of the Irish diaspora. In longer descriptive names, drom typically appears as the first element and combines with other elements describing local geography, settlement, or ownership. Because of variations in spelling and pronunciation over centuries, contemporary forms in English-language maps may show several related variants, such as drum or druim, depending on local tradition.

Outside of place names, drom does not have a widely recognized meaning in modern English and is rarely used as a standalone word. When capitalized, it may function as a proper noun or acronym in specific contexts, but these usages are not standard definitions of the term.

See also: Druim, Irish toponymy, Place-name elements.