drumbeat

noun4

1. •
   The beating of a drum.
2. •
   The sound of a beating drum.

   • This is not the drumbeat of a single drummer leading a charge. — 2015
3. •
   A repetitive beating sound.

   • This music has a groovy drumbeat that makes me dance!
4. •
   (figurative) A driving force.

   • Nevertheless, greatness rarely receives public approval, because most people spend their lives goose-stepping to the drumbeat of economic necessity. — 1996