1. The group of musical instruments that produce sound by being struck, including drums and cymbals, or the section of the orchestra playing such instruments.
2. The striking or detonating of a percussion cap in a firearm.
3. The impact of one object striking another, or the noise or shock created when two objects hit each other.
4. In medicine, an assessment method in which the surface of the body is struck with the fingertips to obtain sounds that can be heard or vibrations that can be felt.

It can determine the position, size, and consistency of an internal organ. It is done over the chest to determine the presence of normal air content in the lungs, and over the abdomen to evaluate air in the loops of the intestine.

Auscultatory percussion done by tapping with one forefinger, the second joint of the other forefinger applied perpendicularly to the body part being examined: Mary thought that the method of Korányi's auscultatory percussion was an easy way to perform and without using any type of device in order to listen for sounds in a person's body.

The direct striking or tapping of the surface of a part of the body with the purpose of obtaining diagnostically relevant information by tactile or touching rather than with auditory procedures: Dr. Anderson used palpatory percussions, or finger touching, by hitting lightly on the outer layer of Jack’s stomach to hear if there were any indications of an abnormal condition.